Whitney Minnich Real Estate and Community Updates

Hardwood Floors: Care & Maintenance Posted on  June 2, 201 5   by   Editor   in   Home Buyer ,  Home Seller ,  Real Estate Hardwood floors can maintain their strength and beauty for years, especially with a little help from you.  The below guide can help ensure your floors stay in prime condition for years to come. ESSENTIAL CARE Vacuum or sweep your floor regularly with a soft-bristled attachment or broom, especially in high-traffic areas. This prevents gritty dirt and particle buildup that can scratch the wood’s surface. Don’t use vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head. Use protective window coverings to block fade-causing UV rays and excessive heat from direct sunlight. Most wood types will gradually age when not covered, so it’s a good idea to rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to help it age evenly. TIPS FOR PREVENTING DAMAGE Keep pets’ nails trimmed and their paws clean. Pets can track in substances...

5 Maintenance Tasks to Ignore at Your Peril By:  Jeanne Huber Homeownership means regular  maintenance and repair  chores, but some are more important than others. Here are five that should top your priority list: 1. Make Sure Your Appliances Aren’t Being Recalled Why it matters:  The non-profit “Consumer Reports” magazine wrote an  eye-popping piece  about how often home appliances catch fire: more than 150,000 residential fires each year from 2006 to 2008, resulting in 3,670 injuries, 150 deaths, and $547 million in property damage. About half the fires appear to have been caused by faulty appliances. Some had been recalled for defects that could cause an  appliance fire , but the home owners weren’t aware. What you need to do:  Write down the model and serial number of each appliance, then check at  www.recalls.gov  for recalls and what action to take if something you own is involved. Keep your list so it’s easy to reche...