These days it seems everyone is all about going green.  Have you ever given any thought on taking part in going green?  If so you have come to the right place.  Below are a few tips on how you and your family can go green this spring!   Why not add going green to your spring cleaning list!

•  One way that you and your family can go green this spring is to simply take your shoes off before you enter your house!  You read that right; you can go green by simply taking off your shoes. 40% of all indoor contaminants actually come from the bottom of our shoes so do your part to keep this from happening to you and your family by taking those shoes off!
  
  
• Learn what ingredients are considered to be green so that when you go to the store to purchase all of your new green cleaners you can be confident that you are actually doing some good for the environment.  Some companies that claim to be green actually have some ingredients that are not green once they are mixed together.   Just read up on what ingredients are green and what ingredients are not and are typically passed off as green and you should be heading in the right direction on what to buy and what not to buy.
  
  
• Don’t forget the outside of your home when you are going green.  Many grasses are able to grow and thrive without the help of any type of pesticides and /or fertilizers.  The best way to start going green with the outside of your home is to replace the grass you currently have with native grasses to your particular area.  One perk of this switch is that you may find that you have a lot less upkeep of your lawn once you do this!  Who wouldn’t enjoy having more time with their family and less time doing yard work on a weekly basis!

These are just a few ways in which you can help to make your home a bit more green this spring.  Once you get started going green it is likely that you will find more and more ways in which to do so.  It can become addicting once you make the decision to go green in and around your home!

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Your home is your sanctuary, but without proper security measures in place, it can be vulnerable to intruders and threats. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to enhance the safety and security of your home. Whether you’re looking to deter burglars, safeguard your family, or simply enjoy greater peace of mind, consider implementing these ten essential security improvements:

1. Install a Smart Security System

A smart security system allows you to monitor your home remotely and receive instant alerts in the event of suspicious activity. Look for systems that include features such as motion detectors, door and window sensors, and video surveillance cameras.

2. Upgrade Door and Window Locks

Strengthen the security of your home by upgrading to high-quality deadbolt locks on exterior doors and secure locking mechanisms on windows. Consider installing smart locks that allow you to control access to your home remotely.

3. Illuminate Outdoor Spaces

Keep would-be intruders at bay by illuminating the exterior of your home with motion-activated lights. Install lights near entry points, walkways, and dark corners to deter trespassers and increase visibility around your property.

4. Secure Garage Doors

Don’t overlook the security of your garage, as it can provide easy access for burglars. Install a garage door opener with rolling code technology and consider adding a lock or security bar for extra protection.

5. Reinforce Entry Points

Strengthen the security of your home’s entry points by installing reinforced doors, doorjambs, and strike plates. Consider adding a peephole or video doorbell to screen visitors before opening the door.

6. Trim Overgrown Foliage

Keep shrubs, trees, and bushes trimmed to eliminate hiding spots for potential intruders. Clear away any overgrown vegetation that could provide cover for burglars attempting to gain entry to your home.

7. Upgrade to Smart Home Automation

Take advantage of smart home automation technology to control lights, thermostats, and security systems from your smartphone or tablet. Program lights to turn on and off at random intervals to create the illusion of occupancy when you’re away from home.

8. Install a Home Safe

Protect your valuables and important documents by installing a home safe in a secure location. Choose a fireproof and waterproof safe with a secure locking mechanism to keep your belongings safe from theft and damage.

9. Invest in Security Cameras

Install security cameras in strategic locations around your property to monitor activity and deter would-be intruders. Choose cameras with high-definition resolution, night vision capabilities, and motion detection alerts for maximum effectiveness.

10. Join a Neighborhood Watch Program

Work together with your neighbors to keep your community safe by joining a neighborhood watch program. Stay informed about local crime trends, share information with your neighbors, and work together to identify and report suspicious activity.

By implementing these essential security improvements, you can enhance the safety and security of your home and protect your loved ones and belongings from harm. Whether you choose to invest in a comprehensive security system or make simple upgrades to reinforce entry points and increase visibility around your property, taking proactive steps to improve home security can provide invaluable peace of mind.

Ready to get started? Assess your home’s security needs, create a plan of action, and take steps to implement the necessary improvements. With a proactive approach to home security, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that your home and family are protected around the clock.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

By and photo credit: Homekeepr Blog, Brian Friemel

Spring brings with it exciting times for gardeners who anticipate floral beauty and healthy plants for the grounds of their Orlando real estate. To fulfill your gardening hopes, however, you need to prioritize your time in order to tend to all the tasks necessary for blooms and blossoms.

• Prune

For early blooming shrubs such as forsythia and viburnum, prune them as soon as blooms have passed. Early spring is also an ideal time to prune your roses.

• Deadhead

Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being.

• Weed

Pull weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread.

• Compost

Tend to your compost if it has been neglected over the winter. If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one.

• Prepare tools

Spring is a good time to prepare your tools for the oncoming gardening season and to make any necessary repairs or new purchases. You will be happy you have done so when summer sets in.

• Plant

Spring is a great time to add new plants to your garden. Be sure, however, that all threat of frost has past. Plant such things as trees, shrubs, hardy annuals, and summer blooming bulbs.

• Fertilize & Mulch

Fertilize and mulch beds and borders. Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees. If you applied heavy winter mulch for protection from the cold, you will need to clear it away.

• Stake

Stake plants that may be prone to wind damage during the unpredictable spring weather.

One type of gardening which appeals to many environmentalists is organic gardening, the incorporation of the entire landscape design and environment to improve the soil and maximize plant production without using synthetic materials.

Another gardening philosophy which is gaining in popularity is “no till” planting. Proponents of this system insist that not tilling the soil of your Orlando real estate improves the quality of the dirt by not disturbing it and thus not bringing buried weeds, bacteria, and carbon to the surface. Layers of mulch and other organic materials not only “feed” the soil, but also control weed growth.

Whatever method you select, may your gardening days be happy and your blooms rewarding!

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

 

Spring has officially sprung and that means most of us are starting to get the itch to clean our homes.   Below are a few spring cleaning tips for those of you who might be interested in doing it the natural way!  These items are such that you likely already have them in your house so there will be no need to go out and purchase anything.

The number one item you likely already have in your house and that is perfect for spring cleaning  is baking soda!  Yes you read that right, baking soda!  It has many uses such as the following:

• Clean the toilet using a bit of baking soda and a scrub brush
• Clean the inside of your oven using some baking soda mixed with vinegar and a rag
• To brighten up your laundry use half a cup of baking soda mixed with each load
• 1 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar will help to unclog a clogged up drain in your sinks
• Sprinkle some baking soda on your rugs and carpets, wait 15 min, then vacuum to freshen them

Another item that you likely already have on hand at home that can help make spring cleaning  easy is vinegar.  There are many uses for cleaning with vinegar such as the following:

• Mix vinegar with salt to get those pesky coffee stains out of your coffee mugs
• Spray vinegar in your bathroom for a good sanitization of each surface
• Believe it or not, let your socks soak in vinegar to freshen them.  This is done by adding 1 cup vinegar to a pot of water and letting them soak overnight
• Use a bit of distilled white vinegar on our toothbrush to make your smile brighter.
• If you want your windows to shine and you don’t want to use regular window cleaner, use white vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle then wipe clean with a paper towel.

Liquid dish soap is another great help in spring cleaning and my guess is you already have some of this too!  Here are a few uses for liquid dish soap:

• Mop your floors with it!  Mix a couple drops with a gallon of water
• Clean your granite countertops with some liquid dish soap mixed with warm water then dry with a towel.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

While preparing to move to a new home, the thought of packing your belongings can be overwhelming. The first step is to purge anything you no longer want or use, including clothing, decor, and kitchen items. Once you have gotten rid of unwanted items, it is time to start packing! Here are eight hacks to make this more convenient, before and after the move:

• Your local grocery’s produce department is a great place to get free boxes, especially fruit cartons. The packaging is heavy-duty and includes covers.
• Use luggage to pack practically anything, and wheeled pieces are perfect for transporting heavy items.
• Cover hanging clothes with trash bags for easy packing. Another way to move clothing is to spread a flat sheet on the bed, lay the clothes on it, and tie the sheet hems around the hanger tops.
• Pack an “open first” box with necessities such as toiletries, sleepwear, and a clean outfit for the next day.
• Instead of buying bubble wrap or other protective wrap, use linens to wrap fragile items.
• While unassembling anything, place hardware or cords in clear storage bags, label them, and attach them to their appropriate item with sturdy tape.
• Protect fragile items using stuffed animals or throw blankets to keep them from shifting in their boxes.
• Label packed boxes on their sides for easy viewing.

A most important tip: keep the weight of items in mind while packing. Place heavier items–books, for instance–in small boxes, and lightweight items in large boxes. Moving is difficult enough, and the easier you make it on your back and your energy, the better!

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Working from home can be an amazing thing if you get the chance to do it.  Working from home can open up an entirely new world to someone who has always had to work outside of them home.  It can be extremely comfortable to work from home for many reasons; one being you can stay in your pajamas all day if you choose to do so.  If you are someone who doesn’t mind spending the day alone away from other colleges then working from home might just be for you!  Take a look at these few tips for working from home so that you will know more about whether or not you want to give it a try.

1. The best way to work from home is to make space in your home that is specifically for working.  If you let work spill over into other parts of your home you are more likely to lose paperwork and turn your home sanctuary into a stress filled place that no one wants to spend time in.  Your home (even if you work in it) should be a place of rest and relaxation where you go to get away from it all.  Keep it that way by using this first tip.
   
2. Another tip for working from home is to set time boundaries for your work. If you work from a computer and you have a family that needs taking care of, it is best that you set your work schedule around your family time.  This way you won’t end up losing out on quality family time by spending that time on your computer away from those you love.  If it is possible spend only a certain designated time of the day working on your job.   If you need to turn off work email notifications in order to accomplish this, so be it.
   
3. Use technology to stay in touch with those you work with. When you work in an office and you have a question about your job or something that needs to be discussed, all you have to do is pop in to another office and talk about it.  Working from home  can sometimes cause communication gaps between you and those you are working for or with.   Keeping those lines of communication open through email and or video chat is most beneficial and many times can be crucial to your job.

Again, working from home can be the best thing since sliced bread, just do your part to make sure it doesn’t overtake your everyday life.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Many seniors plan to live at home for as long as it is physically possible. Unless a major transformation needs to be made, most changes are simple. The following seven modifications are easy DIY jobs everyone in the family can take care of over a weekend:

• Replace all doorknobs with lever-style handles so that those with arthritis or other motor skill problems can open doors easily.
• Install anti-skid treads to ramps and steps to minimize slipping.
• To reduce the danger of falls, area rugs can be secured with non-slip rug padding or double-sided carpet tape.
• If a total bathroom remodel is not affordable, installing grab-bars to the shower, bath, and toilet area walls will offer security for moving around in a slippery bathroom.
• Change faucets in the kitchen and bath to single lever handles or install motion-sensor or touch-activated units for ease of use.
• Outdoor lighting is essential for everyone’s safety, and there are many options for adding low-voltage and solar-powered lights to posts along ramps and atop porch rails, as well as pathway lighting.
• Electrical issues to consider – light switches that can be pressed for turning off and on, electrical outlets placed higher than the standard height and adding more interior lighting.

This handy publication from AARP contains great ideas to assist with setting your loved one up for independent living. Hopefully you and your much-loved senior will look at this stage of life not as a challenge, but rather as a way to keep a distant–but watchful–eye over them while they maintain their sense of independence and quality of life.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Our resolutions for the new year normally focus on eating healthier, losing weight, kicking dirty habits–the list goes on. Sadly, by the end of February, we find ourselves just trying to remember what our resolutions were, much less sticking to them! Homeownership can be the same way; we start out with good intentions and fall short. While the next seven items are not everything a homeowner needs to keep up with, they are easy to do!

• Keep the yard in tip-top shape year-round with these tips from The Family Handyman.
  
• Resolve to cut the clutter in your house one room per week.
  
• Repair the little things that are not necessarily safety issues: door knobs that are not working, dripping faucets, or squeaky floors. Letting the little things go can cause bigger problems and may cost more later.
  
• Having an energy audit performed on your house can save energy and money. Many power companies offer this service free; check with your provider for more information.
  
• Home security systems are not foolproof against hackers, nor are smart home accessories. Change passwords frequently, and do not reuse passwords. Make it even more difficult to breach by using two-factor authentication.
  
• Get those finances in order! Commit to saving money, not only in the literal sense, but get the best rates on insurance, or consider refinancing your mortgage. NerdWallet has some great tips for building equity in your home.
  
• Print out this free home checklist so that season by season, nothing is overlooked!

Find a good balance between spending time on home maintenance and caring for yourself and your family. Some projects incorporate the whole family, such as a big cleaning job or yard work. As important as it is to keep up your home, it is important to keep up with family.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

 Fresh holiday trees are beautiful, smell great and really add to the spirit of the season.  Following some proven safety tips might help you avoid a disaster and keep the Grinch away.

• Select a tree with fresh green needles that don’t fall off when touched or when the trunk is tapped on the ground.
• When trees are cut too early, they have a greater risk of drying out and can become more dangerous especially with electrical lights.
• Cut 1” to 2” off the base of the tree before placing it in the stand to facilitate it drawing water to the limbs and quills.
• Trees require water similar to cut flowers or they’ll dry out. Tree stands should hold at least one gallon of water and it should be checked every day.  A six foot tree could use up to a gallon of water every two days.
• Position the tree a minimum of three feet or further from heat source like fireplaces, space heaters, heat vents or candles.  Do not allow the tree to block an exit.
• Lights should be labeled from an independent testing laboratory and intended for indoor use.
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for how many strings of lights can be connected to each other.
• Turn off all tree lights when you go to bed or leave the home.
• If the tree becomes dry and begins shedding needles, it can be a fire hazard and should be removed from the home.  Even if the holidays are not over, it is not worth the risk to keep it in your home.
• After the gifts have been opened, don’t return the paper and boxes under the tree.
• Remove the tree as soon as possible after the holidays.
• Trees should never be burned in a fireplace.  The trees will burn very hot and quickly when they are dry and could spread outside of the fireplace which could cause an unfriendly fire.
• Check to see if there is a recycling program for holiday trees in your community.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that “one of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical failures and a heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every six of the fires.”

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Window tinting, or filming, can be a budget-friendly way to take your home’s windows to a higher level of energy efficiency, especially if it is not in the budget to upgrade all the windows in your home.  Learn more about this alternative to new window installation: 

• Window film comes in three types: decorative, privacy, and solar. 

• Decorative films are just that–for aesthetics. They are not necessarily energy efficient. 
• Film in the privacy/security category is made of a thicker material than decorative, and its purpose is to keep prying eyes out of your home, as well as help keep glass together in case of breakage. 

• Solar film is made in different ways, but the sole reason homeowners have it installed is to reflect or absorb UV rays. Some more costly films will work both ways–reflecting and absorbing UV rays–so your home and energy bills benefit from the changing temperature needs of your home. 

• Other varieties include removable/reusable film, semi-permanent, and permanent. Your window’s film/tint depends on the type of window and needs you may have. Learn more with a free e-book from the International Window Film Association. 
• Many electric companies offer a rebate when a homeowner installs energy-saving window film. There is also a federal tax credit for making your home more energy efficient! 
• Added benefits to using window film in your home’s windows are protecting furniture, carpets, draperies, and even wood flooring from the damaging long-term effects of UV exposure. 
• In case you have newly installed windows, check your paperwork, or call the manufacturer, as adding window film to the glass can void the warranty. 

• Window film is available at home stores and online, and there are many DIY instructions online, so it can be done yourself. Application does require some patience; if done in a hurry, you can leave unsightly bubbles throughout the film or uneven trim around the window glass. When hiring a pro for this job, you may receive added protection from some film manufacturers with an offer of a lifetime warranty on their product when it is professionally installed. 
• When purchasing the type of film, you want to apply to your windows, make certain the product is certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council.   

Protecting your belongings and energy consumption from the effects of the sun’s rays coming into your home can be taken care of with window film, but again, make sure the correct type is installed. Whatever your reason for applying film to your windows, rest assured it is a less expensive process than installing all new windows and can even be more cost effective when it comes to making your HVAC system use less energy. 

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.