Author Archives: Lindsay Listanski

Never Lose Stuff in Your House Again

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Lost your keys or wallet when you are already running late for work?

Stuck on the same channel because you have no idea where the remote control is?

NO CLUE where your pet is hiding?

Sound familiar?

We have discovered a product that allows you to keep tabs on these items and doubles as way to track pets and even children! It is called StickNFind. As the Queen of misplacing my cell phone and keys, the second I found this product I had a “Shut up and take my money” moment.

What Is It?

StickNFind is a tracking device that is about the size of a quarter. You can stick them to any device, person or animal (suggest collar tag), and find them with your Smart Phone.

Requirements: iOS devices with Bluetooth 4.0 (iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, new iPad, New Touch, mini iPad) It also works on Android devices supporting Bluetooth Low Energy, running Android 4.1 and newer.

They come in six different colors and are available in the following quantities:

2 pack- $49.99

4 pack- $89.99

6 pack- $129.99

10 pack- $199.99

20 pack- $389.99

sticknfind radar hand Never Lose Stuff in Your House Again

How It Works

Remember playing the “Hot/Cold” game when you were younger and trying to find something only to be tortured by an adult saying warm, hot, boiling as you approached the lost item or cold, chilly, freezing as you strayed away? The StickNFind is similar but instead of a taunting voice you are directed to the item with guidance from a Smart Phone app.

The Radar Screen displays all your devices that have been tagged within range.You can tap the Sticker on the radar screen and decide if you would like it to Buzz, Flash the Lights or do both. Note: the radar Screen can only be used to approximate the distance of the Stick-N-Find to your phone, but not direction.

Once you have located on the Radar Screen a Sticker you would like to find, you start walking in a specific direction, and see if it gets closer or farther. Stick-N-Find stickers have a buzzer and light, so you can even find stuff in the dark.

Virtual Leash

virtual Never Lose Stuff in Your House Again

The StickNFind can also be used as a virtual leash for pets (or kids). The leash feature allows you to create a virtual Leash on a sticker, if that sticker moves away more than the approximate selected distance from your phone, your phone will Alarm you. You can even select a different types of Alarms for different Stickers. Place a stick-n-find on your pet’s collar to get an alert if she wanders out of range.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Find out more about this awesome product here at sticknfind.com

 

What To Do BEFORE Moving Into a New Home

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Woo Hoo! You bought a house!

After the home buying process is officially over, many homeowners start packing up their old residence and preparing for the big move. But before loading all the furniture, clothing and furnishings into a new home, individuals may want to make subtle changes for either aesthetic or safety purposes.

Making these slight alterations before moving in may facilitate the process and help homeowners avoid these changes after they’re already settled.

Change Locks to Strengthen Security Measures

One of the first moves new homeowners should make is changing the locks to their new home. Although previous owners will be required to give up their keys, neighbors, family members and friends may still have extra copies. New locks and keys are an inexpensive way new owners can protect their investment. In addition, it’s also important to run a security check to ensure all window locks are functioning properly.  Homeowners may also feel comfortable installing an alarm system to maximize their protection.

Adequate security doesn’t only involve locks, but also alert systems. New homeowners should make sure their fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed with fresh batteries and operate properly.

Paint and Replace Flooring If Needed

Homeowners who plan on making simple changes that may cover a wide area, such as stripping the floors or painting a room, may want to do so before they move all their furniture in. This can help them avoid the hassle of being forced to move all their objects twice to complete the project. In addition, these types of projects, especially removing wallpaper, can be extremely messy and completing them beforehand allows homeowners to protect their items from paint, dust or damage. Believe me, you will thank yourself for doing this!

Cover Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations Early

Similar to replacing flooring, homeowners can escape the inconvenience of moving appliances and other items by making early renovations to kitchens and bathrooms. But more importantly, these types of projects may require professionals to turn the water off for a period of time. This may force new homeowners to go without water for a few days and rely on family members’ or friend’s homes to shower. For this reason, it may be more convenient to finish them before moving in.

Do you have other tips for home buyers? Please share, we would love to hear them!

3 Items That Will Make Your Pool Even Cooler

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Growing up I ALWAYS wanted a pool in my backyard. I was the type of kid who would want to stay in the pool long after my lips turned blue and my fingers turned wrinkley from the cold pool water. I even used to beg my parents to let me have a pool party for my birthday…only problem was my birthday is in February.

Luckily I have Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Phil who have always let me come over to take a dip, no matter what day or time it it. Their pool has become the go to spot in the summer for our family and I can see the joy it brings as they watch all of their nephews and nieces swim as they sit poolside with the rest of the family enjoying good food, cold drinks, and the warmth of the summer sun.

This summer, I am hoping to introduce the family to these awesome pool goodies and thought I should share with all of you.

iSplash Floating Speaker

poolspeaker 3 Items That Will Make Your Pool Even Cooler

There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars mounting fancy speakers around your pool this summer, just throw in an iSplash Floating Speaker 3 Items That Will Make Your Pool Even Cooler ($80) and call it a day.

Remote Control Snack and Drink Float

remote 3 Items That Will Make Your Pool Even Cooler

 

Presenting the ultimate butler for your pool ($39). Do you NEED this? No. Do you deserve it? Absolutely.

Motorized Bumper Boat with Water Canon

bumper 3 Items That Will Make Your Pool Even Cooler

Forget water balloons. This is the ultimate way to have a water fight! These motorized bumper boats($140) may run on the expensive side but honestly, how can you put a price on fun?

 

 

 

10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

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Outdoor party season has finally returned! Make your house party the talk of your neighborhood this summer with these 10 ideas.

Make Your Cooler the Coolest

balloons 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Forget running to the store for ice. Buy a bag of balloons and fill them up with tap water. Freeze them over night and place the balloons in your cooler just as you would with crushed ice. Bonus: After the ice melts you have all the ammo you need for an all out water balloon fight! More info here.

Watermelon Keg

watermelon 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Who needs a punch bowl when you can tap a watermelon?! This is sure to wow your party guests. Find out how to turn a watermelon into a drink dispenser here.

Good Music + Cold Drinks= Summer Fun

boombox 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Your party will rock with this awesome inflatable boombox cooler. You can order it here.

Cool Idea! Edible Flower Ice Cubes

icecubes 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

A jaunty addition to any cocktail. Learn how to make these elegant ice cubes here.

Sun Catching Jello Peels

jello 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Add some color to your summer party with refreshing rainbow gelatin orange wedges. They are super easy to make. Sink your teeth into the recipe here.

No More Melted Ice Cream

icecream 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Save time and a melted mess next time you serve ice cream at a house party with this simple idea. Pre-scoop ice cream into baking cups- store in freezer until ready. Get the scoop on this idea here.

DIY Cooler

pool 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Every homeowner with a pool should know about this easy project: Cut a noodle and tie a rope through it and place around a Rubbermaid bin. Cost: $1.99 For more info click here.

A Watermelon that Bites Back

shark 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

This may be the only time people don’t run away when someone yells SHARK! Get the recipe here.

Easy to Make Flip Flop Cookies

sandals 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Who would have guessed that nutter butters could be easily transformed into cutest flip-flop cookies on the face of the earth? Here’s how to make them.

Cool and Fashionable Jewel Pops

icepops 10 Fun Ideas for a Sizzling Summer Party

Dazzling gem shapes that form easy-to-eat frozen treats with drip-guard handle. Great for kids or “adult” refreshments. You can purchase the mold here.

We hope you have a wonderful summer and enjoy all the wonderful memories that make your house your home.

 

Cover Image via acespace.org

Prepare Your Home for Summer

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Summer is officially almost here (finally)!!

Getting a house ready for summer is important. To get ready for the heat, many people try to lighten up the tones of their home and clean it from top to bottom to keep it bug-free. In addition, there are several ways to organize a house to avoid the hassle of managing it when the heat sets in.

Declutter

Take the time to go through a home and remove excess items that are old or no longer in use. Owners can store seasonal items in attics, sheds or basements, and create a pile to donate to charity. Decluttering can make a home feel more spacious and make the process of organizing feel less stressful.

In addition to tossing or storing unwanted items, it’s also beneficial to walk through the home and toss old rugs, hand towels, sheets, placemats and curtains that are worn. The same goes for candles, appliances and other household items that have run their course or are no longer in season.

Go lighter

After a home has been cleared of clutter, homeowners can lighten the mood and get into the spirit of summer by replacing dark patterns with lighter, neutral colors. For example, purchasing new soft throw pillows, replacing dark heavy comforters with lighter quilts and putting down new rugs can add an element of coolness to a home, according to The House Designers.

The beginning of summer is also a good time to clean the home from top to bottom and get to areas that may not have been touched since fall or winter. Wash windows, replace the outside glass door with a screen, clean the dust off of ceiling fans and air vents and clean out cabinets, bookshelves and hard-to-reach places. This will not only give owners a sense of accomplishment, but also help reduce dust and grime when air begins circulating through the home. Many individuals use ceiling fans and other types of fans to cool their homes and cleaning it first will prevent dust and dirt from flying around.

Once you finish your interior check out Affordable ways to decorate your home for summer.

The Most Dreaded Household Chore

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Hate is a strong word. For that reason I will begin this post by saying I strongly dislike household chores. From cleaning the bathroom to mopping the floors, there are very few nice things I can say about these unpleasant routine tasks.

I have to believe I am not alone. So please, I must know, what household chore do you dread the most? I will create a blog post next week with tips on how to make the task that gets the most complaints a little less painless.

Post your most dreaded household chore below in the comments section or tweet to us at @Coldwellbanker with #MostDreadedChore.

image via Kalli

 

Tips On Selling Your Vacation Property

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Vacation homes can be a great escape for individuals and their families. However, some may find that they are not able to utilize their second home as much as they would like, and decide to put the home up for sale. The process for putting a vacation property on the market is similar to that of selling a home that serves as a primary residence, although there are a few obstacles that can make the process slightly more challenging for sellers.

For example, individuals who own vacation properties in another part of the country may not be able to make it out to their second home on a regular basis. For this reason, it’s important to take a few preliminary steps to help a home sale go more smoothly.

Work with a local real estate agent

When a vacation home owner can’t be on site 24 hours a day, working with the right real estate agent who will be responsible for unloading the home on the market is important. Agents who specialize in the area the vacation home is located in can give sellers peace of mind when they are far away. Local agents may have more connections and stronger insight into that particular market. This can be especially useful in a high-traffic tourist area, because potential buyers will likely have several questions about what to expect during the tourist season.

Make repairs early

The last thing a seller wants is to have to travel suddenly to make unexpected repairs before a buyer makes the purchase. Instead, it can be helpful to have all the preliminary work on the home done before the house goes on the market. Sellers should consider hiring a home inspector to pinpoint potential problems with a property and make the repairs quickly. Most buyers will hire their own home inspector to evaluate a property, and having all repairs and upgrades complete before this process can save sellers money down the road.

Spruce up the property

Buyers who walk into a dusty vacation home that hasn’t been cleaned since the last tourist season may quickly walk away from a house. Sellers should make the effort to visit the property for a short period of time before showing the home to clean it thoroughly and stage it properly. Small acts, such as painting, changing the linens and organizing the house can make a great deal of difference when selling a home. Those who will not have the chance to visit often while their home is up for sale may also want to hire a landscaper and cleaning service to maintain the property during the selling process.

Thinking about selling your vacation home? Visit coldwellbanker.com for more information.

How to Organize Your T-Shirt Drawer

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As a 3 sport athlete, sorority girl and occasional gym rat, I have acquired hundred of t-shirts over the past twenty something years. Needless to say my t-shirt drawer has always been a disaster. The sad part is, with all the t-shirts I own, I pretty much only wear 10 of them because I don’t have the patience to pull shirts from the bottom of the drawer.

This all changed when I discovered Alejandra Costello‘s “How to Fold T-Shirts” video which demonstrates the genius idea of stacks shirts horizontally. Her method makes it look like the shirts are folded perfectly and maximizes space. Alejandra, who is a professional organizer, not only taught me the best way to organize a drawer but introduced a tool that I can’t wait to get my hands on. I think you will be impressed too. Take a look at her video above and follow Alejandra on Twitter for more great organization ideas.

What to Do When a Home Purchase Deal is Derailed

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Those shopping for a new home may not have a clear idea of what to do if a promising home sale falls through. This is a potential problem for anyone buying a home, although first-time buyers may have a more difficult time with this type of event.

A real estate agent can help buyers prioritize following such a situation, as well as guide them through additional real estate listings to discover prospective homes to check out. Typically, both home buyers and sellers deal in good faith, but even when that is the case, unforeseen circumstances can prevent a deal from concluding successfully.

When a Deal Fails

The first matter for most buyers to handle is to get back their earnest-money deposit, although the reason the deal is called off may determine their ability to do so. Buyers may change their mind about buying a home due to facts revealed in a home inspection or appraisal. If there is a contingency in the contract that allows the buyer to cancel the deal based on such an event, then the deposit will typically be returned.

If not, however, then the buyer’s decision to cancel the deal may mean writing off the deposit. Deals commonly have a provision allowing the buyer to back out if a final inspection reveals some previously unknown problem with a home, or at least allowing the details of a deal to be renegotiated.

For example, buyers may wish to negotiate a different price if it becomes apparent that a home’s insulation is lacking, since they will have to pay for new insulation in order to restore the home to reasonable condition. It is important to ensure a contract has provisions for these circumstances.

Preparing for Purchase

A different possibility is that the buyers may not be able to get as much financing as they expected or need for the purchase. Another common issue that may arise is that a lender’s appraisal may affect the financing they are willing to provide based on the estimated worth of the home. One real estate professional told Bankrate that another point that may not come up until the end of a deal is the approval of a homeowners association or similar organization.

Additionally, buyers may find that state and local real estate laws and practices affect who holds deposits and how contracts are typically constructed. When continuing the home buying process after a failed deal, one expert told Bankrate, buyers with financing trouble may need to wait a while or reconsider their price range before moving on.

If you have questions about the home buying process tweet to us at @Coldwellbanker.

Image via forclosurefish.net

Neighborhood Features to Examine Before Buying a Home

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Location, Location, Location! An obvious and important aspect of buying a home is looking at the home itself, but another, and sometimes forgotten, is exploring the neighborhood. Limited amenities and services, unkempt communities and noisy neighbors can curb a home sale, and to avoid moving into an area that lacks the features owners are looking for, it’s important that buyers examine the community as closely as they do the house.

There are several features to examine when looking at a neighborhood and it can be helpful if buyers have a clear idea of what they want in a community.

Amenities

Individuals may have a specific set of amenities they want their community to have, which may vary based on their family size, age and lifestyle. For example, individuals with young children may seek out a neighborhood with parks and playgrounds, while other demographics may want more cultural features and entertainment options. Those with an active lifestyle may seek out areas with parks, lakes and outdoor opportunities.

In addition, many parents choose communities based on the school systems, and they can rank different school districts by examining surrounding institutions on their state’s website. Some may offer special types of programs, while others are more geared toward athletics and educational initiatives.

It’s also important to consider proximity to work, major cities and schools as well when buying a home. Buyers should factor in driving distance and time to ensure morning commutes are not excessive and inquire about other forms of public transportation. Because really, who wants to sit in rush hour traffic during dinner time?!

Community history

Buyers may also benefit from examining the town’s history of violent crime, pollution, school test scores and growth. These factors may significantly drive the decision to purchase a home in a certain location, and knowing what to expect beforehand can help owners avoid surprises when they close on a new home.

Further, buyers should find out through the city if any large construction plans are expected to be carried out in the future. This may not seem important initially, but owners who are buying a home in a low-key quiet neighborhood may be dismayed if their town starts building more homes, shops and restaurants in the area. This is especially true for owners who belong to a homeowners association.

Last but certainly not least, talk to people in the community. Have lunch in town and communicate with current residents. Their answers can provide valuable insight regarding the neighborhood you are interested in. In addition to those living in the community a real estate professional can also provide their expert advice on the location you are interested in.

Image via knowtheneighbors.com