2008-10-24
Hicok & Boardman United Way Campaign
Next week our company holds its annual campaign to support the United Way of Chittenden County. Employees and associates from all H&B divisions including, Real Estate, Insurance and Financial Planning, show support and their competitive sides during this weeklong event. The last few years we've raised several thousands of dollars and we hope to raise even more this year (despite the economic crisis our nation has faced!) This event also raises alot of community spirit and good will among everyone which gives us all something to smile about! Some of the fundraising activities that will be taking place next week include: Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle, Soup Competition, Coin Drop, Wear Denim to Work for $5/day, Red Barn Fundraiser, a Talent Show and more! In fact, The Reilly Team's own Carolyn Weaver has been nominated for the Talent Show and we all can't wait to see her perform!! Anyone is invited to come join the H&B festivities or donate to our campaign, so stop by our office next week, Oct 27-30, for some fun. We're located at 346 Shelburne Rd. in Burlington . And don't worry, there will still be some of us working, including myself, so please don't hesitate to contact me for a free market analysis of your home if you're thinking of selling or a free buyer consultation if you're thinking of purchasing!

2008-10-21
Technorati Profile
I've registered my blog with Technorati hoping to learn more about writing and publicizing successful blogs!!

2008-10-17
Bright Ideas for Better Home Lighting
Whether your selling your home or not, here are a few ideas to create better ambiance and brighten up your home. You definitely want to make sure your home is well lit inside and out when showing it to prospective buyers. Check that all bulbs are working and replaced with the appropriate wattage for the room. For smaller rooms, place lamps in the corners of the rooms to help open up the space and make it appear larger. Lights pointed towards the ceiling are known as "up-lights" and help illuminate architectural features like crown molding or arched windows and doors. Also, don't forget to clean chandeliers and light fixtures - taking care to remove all bugs, dirt and fingerprints! Yuck! It's best to use halogen lighting in kitchen and dining areas. The natural white light makes food look more appealing and appetizing. Consider florescent bulbs for hard to reach fixtures. They are more energy efficient and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Installing dimmer switches for your overhead lighting will give you enormous flexibility to alter the mood and appearance of a room. And don't forget the driveway and outdoor door lights either! Illuminating outdoor paths and porches is not only great for safety, but makes these areas very attractive. Use solar powered lights to save energy and eliminate the need for complicated wiring. And with Halloween approaching, you want to make sure all the ghosts, goblins, and Britney Spears trick-or-treaters can find their way safely to your front door for some candy!

2008-10-10
Quick Roof Repairs Before Winter
This is a simple project that will make your roof look more attractive to prospective buyers. If you got a few damaged shingles, it's probably best to replace them before winter - especially if you live in Vermont where we easily get several feet of snow each season! You could call a repair man, but with the economy the way it is now, it might be a good choice to try the project yourself and save a few hundred dollars. It's easier than you think! First, remove old shingles with a prybar by inserting the bar underneath each shingle until you break the seal. Then remove all old shingle nails by inserting the prybar underneath each nail and gently tapping the bar with a hammer until the nail pops out. Be careful not to the damage the roofing felt underneath the shingles. After you've removed all of the old shingles, you can start placing the new ones on. Simply nail the new shingles to the roof; a three tab row of shingles should take approximately eight nails. Place a small amount of roofing sealant over each nail as an effort to keep water out. Now your roof will look great and you can save the indoor projects for this Winter! Stay tuned for more ready to sell home tips...

2008-07-03
Outdoor Projects to Beautify Your Home
Here's an easy and fun project that won't take your whole weekend and actually helps your curb appeal - replace your house numbers and your mailbox numbers. Your local hardware store has a good variety. Buy a few different styles and take them home to see what looks the best. Another way to spruce up your exterior is to start some painting projects that will make your house look fresh. Start with painting your front door and inspecting your door handle hardware. A new handle and fresh coat of paint will welcome your summer visitors. Clean out your gutters and drains so that they are ready for any summer rainstorms. While you're looking at the downspouts take a quick look at the siding. Powerwash any mildew or staining that may have developed. One last warm weather tip: tidy up the inside of your garage if you have any spare time. Shelving and hooks help lift items off the floor to give more room for your cars.

2008-06-11
Let the Sunshine In
Now is the time to take a good look at your windows. Many people don't realize how much grime and film builds up on windows until they are clean. A quick window cleaning can give your entire home a fresh, clean feeling. To maximize sunlight, take down any drapes or curtains that are heavy and dark and replace with a light color or sheer. Another way to make the most of natural light is to open blinds and shutters. If you have "side-lights" on your front doors consider leaving these uncovered. It's always a good idea to have your screens in good repair and your friendly neighborhood hardware store can fix torn, damaged, or bent screens.

2008-05-01
Spring is here! Time to start working on your home!
Even if you're not selling your house, it's important to have curb appeal - a real estate term that refers to how your house looks to people walking or driving by your home. We want to share some lawn tips to help keep your property looking good to help maintain your homes curb appeal: To keep your lawn looking healthy, be careful about cutting your lawn too short. Raise your mower blades to help prevent cutting too close to the ground. Mowing too short leaves lawns prone to such things as disease, moisture loss, and weed invasion. Moisture loss is usually the first sign that you're cutting too much grass as your grass will develop a brownish tinge. Now that your lawn is looking lush & green, it's time to spruce up the rest of your yard. Show off a neat and well-manicured yard by keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed as well.