1. Paint wire tables or fences with a sponge instead of a brush. Put paint in a roller pan and dunk the sponge to wet.
2. Get rid of weeds or grass between bricks and in rock areas by pouring boiling water on them.
3. Clean aluminum furniture by using a plastic dish scrubber soaked in detergent; then scrub and hose it down.
4. Scrape your fingernails on a bar of soap before you begin gardening. Even if you wear gloves, it makes cleaning your nails easier.
5. Put a coffee filter in the bottom of a flower pot before adding soil. It cuts down on the mess and helps keep moisture in.
6. Before screwing the end of the hose into the spigot, rub both with petroleum jelly. This will make it easier to screw on and off.

Well, Thats it! I hope you enjoyed your quick trip shortcut tip list!

By the way, If you know of any friends or family that is looking for a house, or needs to sell one, I would appreciate the referral! Thank you from your Lewisville-Flower Mound Home town Realtor!

An even worse scenario for a home seller is a potential home buyer who observes your unkempt shrubbery and greenery and doesn’t even bother to view your home because they assume the rest of the property has not been well-maintained. Your home could be a “10″ on the inside but no one will ever know because the outside said “don’t bother.”

To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, keep your shrubs and other greenery trimmed and well-shaped so the overall impression you make is that your yard and home have been well-maintained. For an eye-pleasing affect, try to groom the shrubbery so it visually lines up with other plants, landscaping and other yard decorations.

If your shrubbery and greenery becomes so overwhelming that it makes entering the home a challenge, or makes the interior of the home dark, you should consider removing it altogether. Over-sized shrubbery and plants can dwarf the home and make it look smaller, and even create safety concerns.

You can probably spruce up your yard’s shrubbery and greenery over the course of a single weekend, and you should do this. If you can’t do it yourself, hire a professional to do it. They’ll probably charge from $25 to $50 per hour, but this small investment will help get your home sold.

Just keep in mind an attractive and well-maintained property will get sold faster. And note that many buyers will not even consider a property that has obvious maintenance problems even before they make an offer. A little effort up front can make all the difference.

For metal pipes, the first thing you should do is slowly pour boiling water down the drain. This should work in both sinks and showers if the problem is not to severe. The idea is that the boiling water will dissolve any hair, soap and other buildup. If the boiling water breaks through, continue to run hot water for about five minutes to thoroughly flush the pipes.

Be careful with plastic pipes, as the boiling water could soften the joints and cause other problems, like leaks. If your not sure your plastic pipes can withstand the boiling water, consider another method.

For stubborn clogs, try using a cup plunger, just like you would in a toilet. With double-sided sinks, you should either use two plungers at the same time or plug up one side while plunging the other. Make sure there is enough water in the sink or tub so that when you plunge you can feel some pressure. A few short plunges should break up the clog; then rinse with hot water to flush out any debris.

If you have a serious clog, it’s time to take out the big guns; either a straightened metal coat hanger, or if you have one, an augur. If you frequently get clogs, and you don’t want to pay a plumber, it’s probably worth investing in an augur (a long, stiff metal coil wire designed for clearing clogs).

The first step is to remove the drain stop. Sometimes just pulling out the stop will give you enough access to remove the debris clogging the drain. If not, proceed by slowly inserting the chosen weapon and extend down the pipe a few inches, wiggling slightly, until you’ve gone down as far as possible. Note that it’s hard to distinguish resistance caused by the clog or from following the curves of the piping, so never force it as you could break something and cause even worse problems.

The last method is to try a chemical drain cleaner. If you follow the instructions, you may have success. Depending on the clog, you may need to do this several times.

If, after using one or more of these methods you still have a clog, you’re going to have to remove the pipes. The U-shaped pipe is usually the culprit, but not always. Unless you know what you’re doing, you’re probably better off calling a professional.

1. Lighting — This is very important, and in general, more is better than less. If you don’t have adequate lighting, try adding lighting under the cabinets or using higher wattage bulbs.
2. Hard Flooring — Both wood and tile are more hygienic and easier to clean up.
3. Outlets — You shouldn’t need to use extension cords in the your kitchen. A well-designed kitchen will have outlets installed about every three feet.
4. Clear the Clutter — Throw away or donate any items you know you won’t use. By getting rid of old and unused spices, food and beaten up pots and pans, you’ll make room for the stuff you actually use. The same goes for counter space.
5. Clean — Empty out all drawers and cabinets at least once a year and wash them with warm, soapy water. Replace with new liners if you use them.
6. Zones & Storage — Create a kitchen triangle with designated zones for various tasks. For example, you may like to chop vegetables near the sink, or mix ingredients on the center isle. Whatever the case, choose a zone, then store the utensils you’ll need for those tasks in the storage areas nearby. For example, pots and pans should be near the stove, while your Christmas plates could probably be stored on the top shelf.
7. Food Storage — Similar to above, everyday foods, like cereal or bread, should be in an easily-accessed spot. If you have kids, don’t make them climb on the counters if there’s a cupboard at a lower level.
8. Cutlery Trays — Simple trays make it easy to organize your daily utensils and maximize drawer space.
9. Sinks — If you do a lot of cooking (preparation), it may be wise to invest in a sink that fits your needs; e.g., single, double, deep, stainless steel.
10. Faucets — A person who hand-washes large pots and pans will want a different type of faucet than someone who rarely goes in the kitchen. If you like to cook, get a faucet that makes cleanup easier.

I hope these tips can help you make your kitchen more effecient. By the way, if you know someone looking to buy or sell a home in the Lewisville, Flower Mound, or Highland Village areas, I would greatly appreciate any referrals that you could send my way.

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone. For many people, the closet becomes a dumping ground for anything and everything, and soon becomes so disorganized you don’t even know what’s in there. Well, fortunately you can clean up the situation with these simple solutions.

But first, if you don’t have an adequate closet organization system — such as shelves, shoe stands, hooks, baskets or drawers — go invest in what you need. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just functional. Now, depending on the size of your closet and amount of clutter, choose the best closet solution for you and get to work.

1. Take everything out of the closet, slowly go through it, and after careful consideration only put back things you really want or need. If you haven’t worn clothing or a jacket or a pair of shoes in the past 12 to 18 months, you probably don’t need it. If it’s broken and you haven’t repaired it yet, take it to a repair shop or get rid of it. Sure, there are certain items you don’t use often but still need, such as a rain coat or umbrella, but for the other stuff — sell it, donate it or throw it away.
2. If you have a very large closet or storage room, tackle the problem in sections. Visually break up the closet space into four sections, and go through each section — one at a time — as described above. By using this method, you can take care of a big chore over several days and end up with a well-organized closet.
3. Make organizing your closet part of your house cleaning regimen, just like vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the bathroom. By adding “organize the closet” to your chore list, your closet will stay functional and won’t turn into a wasteland for the unwanted.

By keeping your closet organized, you will save time, get better use out the items you keep, and spare yourself the frustration that comes from a cluttered lifestyle. Just because something is “still good” or “barely worn” doesn’t mean it has to clutter up your closet. Just let it go now — and in a few short days, or less — you won’t ever think about it again.

If you have any friends or family that need a real estate agent in the Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village , including the general Dallas area, any referrals will be greatly appreciated.

1. Learn the different kinds of stripping — adhesive-backed V strips that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife; compression strips; tubular gaskets; magnetic stripping for metal- or steel-clad doors.
2. Measure the length of all seams to be weather-stripped, add a couple of inches for each seam and add the numbers together to determine how much you need.
3. Cut the weather stripping to fit each seam. Apply the stripping all the way around a window by using adhesive, nails or screws. Attach the stripping to the jamb or the stop.
4. Apply the stripping to the sides and the tops of doors. Use a weather-tight threshold or door sweep to seal the bottom. (A door sweep is a metal or wood bracket with a plastic or vinyl flap that hangs to the floor to stop airflow.)

Other Tips

* Choose the weather stripping best suited to your needs. Ask store personnel for recommendations.
* Clean the surface to which you’re going to apply adhesive-backed weather stripping (if it’s dirty or damp, the adhesive won’t stick for long).
* Foam and felt varieties of weather stripping don’t apply easily and don’t seem to last nearly as long as alternatives.

1. Know the Room’s Purpose — In most cases you wouldn’t want to install wood floors in a bathroom because of potential moisture problems, but other rooms may have mixed uses. A den may be a place to study one day, and a toddler’s playroom the next. This is important to know before you select a hardwood.
2. Traffic — A busy room is going to require a different hardwood and finish than a room that is seldom used. For example, hallways and kitchens get lots of traffic so you’ll want a more durable wood with a tougher finish than a guest bedroom with little use. Note that wood flooring with very dark or light finishes don’t wear well in a kitchen environment.
3. Installation Options — Certainly you can install hardwood flooring yourself, but like most projects — do your homework and strictly follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. If you contract a professional, get references. Common hardwood flooring installation problems include moisture, unprepared sub-floors, improper planning, bad racking and under-nailing.
4. Color and Style — For most people, choosing the flooring is the best part. Just keep in mind that hardwood flooring is expensive, so unless you plan to live in the house the rest of your life, make sure you choose a flooring that won’t go out of style too quickly.

Ants — We might think ants are a natural part of the yard, and they are, but be aware that ants can kill your lawn too. If you see lots of large ant hills in the same area as your dying lawn, there’s a good chance the hills are smothering the grass or an ant nest below is smothering the roots and prohibiting growth.

Sod Webworms — This insect prefers new lawns and feeds on the grass leaves at night, leaving ugly brown spots or patches across your lawn. If you notice new brown patches quickly taking over your yard, sod webworms may be the source.

Mites — If your grass leaves appear spotted or blotchy, it may be because mites are sucking the sap and damaging your lawn. If several of your neighbors lawns are dotted with brown spots too, mites could be the problem.

Leafhoppers — If your recently planted lawn suddenly takes a turn for the worse, or your older lawn starts getting whitish patches, consider the leafhopper. With an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 species, this insect sucks the sap from your lawn’s stems and leaves. The leafhopper is very small and green, gray, yellow or brownish in appearance.

Ticks — OK, ticks don’t kill your lawn, but they can stop you from enjoying your yard. If your property is adjacent to a heavily wooded area or you have lots of deer, dogs, rabbits, or other small critters running through your yard, be sure to check for ticks as they can cause various health problems, including Lyme disease.

These are a few of the most common insect infestations, though there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other possibilities. The good news is that if you can identify the infestation you can go down to your local gardening center and purchase the solution.

One solution is to start making your own cleaners using non-toxic, ecologically safe products. This can be done pretty quickly with products you probably already have around the house: white vinegar, baking soda, borax, baking soda and a spray bottle.

* All Purpose Cleaner — Mix together 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, 1 teaspoon borax and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle and use on floors, counter tops, walls, carpets and upholstery.
* Glass and Mildew Cleaner — Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray on glass or mildew to clean. If you are sensitive to the smell of vinegar, try this alternative: mix 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar or 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
* Drain Opener — Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain. Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks. Flush drain with boiling water weekly to avoid buildup.
* Scouring Powder — Sprinkle borax to get stains off porcelain sinks; baking soda effectively removes baked-on food from a dishes.
* Linoleum and Tile Floor Cleaner — Mix 1 gallon hot or warm water with 1/2 cup vinegar.
* Toilet Bowl Cleaner — Put 1/4 cup borax in toilet bowl and let set overnight, scrub the next day.

Another solution is to buy “green” cleaning products or cleaners that avoid toxic ingredients like corrosives, chlorine bleach, ammonia, phosphates and petroleum products. You may not be able to eliminate all your cleaners but even small changes help make a difference.