Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Home Tips

How to Add Color to Your Home Décor this Spring

Getting ready for Spring and want to add some color to your house? Keep in mind there is a fine line between adding color to your home décor and using too much. A little bit of color will add a lot of fun and interest to your Staten Island home design, but too much color can be overwhelming. How can you achieve that perfect balance?

Use Color Schemes

Before choosing the colors for your décor, do a little bit of research into color schemes and how they work, so you know how to combine colors harmoniously.

For example, you can choose a complementary color scheme with shades that are across each other on the color wheel – such as blue and orange or purple and yellow. On the other hand, you could try an analogous color scheme, which is a scheme where…

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Preparing For the Havoc of Termites

Every year, termites cause billions of dollars in home damages. These pests feed on wood, but also damage insulation, swimming pool liners and filtration systems. Acknowledging termites is important when buying or selling a home since a termite inspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. It's time to face termites head on before they ruin the biggest investment of your life.

When Is It Time to Start Preparing

Between the spring months of March and May, infestations are mostly discovered of winged termites, known as "swarmers," emerge inside homes due to warmer temperatures and rainfall. These termites will eventually drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with a mate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Winged…

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4 Space Saving Designs To Maximize Your Kitchen

So you've found the perfect Staten Island home, but there's just one problem: the kitchen isn't as big as you'd like it to be. At first glance, a smaller kitchen might seem like a deal-breaker. With a few space saving design tricks, though, you'll have all the space you need and then some. Here’s how you can turn even the smallest kitchen into an efficient cooking and dining space.

Fill Up The Walls: There’s Ample Storage All Around You

Walls are a surprisingly underused surface area in most kitchens. From spice racks to towel racks to magnetic knife boards, walls can offer a wealth of space options. Ditch the bowl fruit painting and throw up some hooks and shelves. Not only will everything you need be within reach, you'll open up more space in your…

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Where To Create A Home Office In Your Home

Do you working from home, and need to get away from daily distractions or need to set up camp in your Staten Island home? You need a haven to "get in the zone" and concentrate on the important work tasks that you need your attention.

It's quick to think and say that the spare bedroom in your home, would be your the answer; but for those who don't have a spare room there is still hope in creating your distraction-free space. Here are some ideas:

Convert/Renovate The Attic

If you have an attic in your home, use the space for a quiet and private home office. It will be separate from your home and free from any distractions. If your attic is unfinished, consider renovating the space into living space; it can turn into a great investment that will…

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Prevent Icy Drafts by Weatherizing Your Windows

With the past few weather bi-polar months Staten Island has been experiencing - you most likely have been taking refuge in your home. When you're at home, obviously you're looking to keep your well-heated Staten Island home in tact. You may have dealt with insulating your attic, walls and other areas of your home, if you've neglected your windows you may find that they become a source of very cold drafts.

Apply this three-step guide to weatherizing your windows which will keep you warmer and help to prevent an increased heating bills this winter.

Between Window Frames and Walls

The first step to weatherizing your windows is to check for spaces in between the window frames and the windows. You can often see any gaps clearly as they will allow you…

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4 Tips To Your Protect Your Roof

A good roof should last you between ten and twenty years. A new one can be an expensive investment so you'll want to make sure you get the most out of the one you have. There are several ways a roof can be damaged, but lucky for you, most of them are completely preventable. Here are a few tips that will extend your roof's life.

Prune The Trees

Trees that brush up against the shingles are bad news. The branches blow in the wind and can scrape your shingles to pieces; it creates an open door for water to get in and cause damage.

Keep limbs about a dozen feet away. This ensures they won’t scrape, and makes it less likely, squirrels and birds will be on your roof. Critters can scrape holes in your roof as well.

It's best to leave tree trimming to…

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New Years Home Resolutions

Tired of the "new year, new you" cliche? If you're looking to change things up this year, why not try making some adjustments to your home. Bring out that can-do attitude and get yourself organized and on a schedule. 

1. Help your house lose weight by cutting back on energy. According to Energy Star, "sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%." By doing this, you'll extend the life of your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump.
2. Reduce your home's debt by learning to budget. Prevent overspending by creating a yearly budget for home improvement and maintenance. By budgeting and managing spending there will be money set aside for roof & appliance replacements.
3. Get organized…

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Tiny, but Cozy How to Furnish Small Spaces

When decorating a small room, it may seem like a struggle to make the space look and feel larger than it is while also meeting basic functional needs. By following a few important tips, it is possible to furnish smaller spaces so that they are functional and do not feel cramped.

Functional Storage Solutions

Storage solutions can be decorative, and they can be a true benefit to the décor in the room. An ottoman with hidden storage, an entertainment center with cabinets and shelves or a tall bookshelf that can hold many of the items that are needed in the room are perfect furniture pieces.

Decorate The Space Vertically

Did you know it's not ideal to decorate a smaller room horizontally. In a smaller space, decorating the space vertically by…

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Why Converting Your Home to Hardwood Flooring Will Boost Its Value

When a homeowner makes the decision to upgrade flooring in an area or throughout the home, there are numerous materials that may be considered. While each material option has its unique benefits and advantages, many are drawn to hardwood flooring as an option. 

A Durable, Long-Lasting Material

Many flooring options need to be replaced or upgraded over the years. However hardwood flooring offer a timeless appeal and durability. In fact, with periodic maintenance and regular care of hardwood floors, some hardwood floors may provide the homeowner with 50 years or more of use.

Numerous Stylish Options

Hardwood floors have a universal appeal, and this increases the desirability of the home to future home buyers. This is especially true when a more…

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Acknowledge Home Selling Mistakes Before It's Too Late

Mistakes are made in most home selling. Hopefully we can help by listing the top 5 common mistakes so you can avoid them.

Neglecting Repairs

By refusing the inevitable, you're only hurting the selling process because potential buyers will turn away. If you think you can still slide by with the damage your home has - your buyers will have an inspection, and all the issues will be identified and needed repairs will be suggested. You will have to fix any damage, credit money to the buyer, or drop your price.

Don't Let Ego & Emotions Take Front Seat

It's always hard to part with an anchor where memories were created. The best way to approach the sale of your home is to be completely emotionally detached and to handle the sale like any other…

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