Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - home tips

Home Improvement Tips for Dining Room

Why Should We Improve Our Dining Rooms?

Many people have dining rooms in their house even if it's part of their kitchen. It is one of the most important rooms to be featured in the sale of a home due to how often homeowners socially interact in the space that can be found at the heart of any family's get-together. Dining rooms are not just for eating with the family however, as they are often also used for hosting food parties, having game nights, or interacting with our friends and family. This particular room is special because we can bond over the simplest things with our friends and family while we enjoy our meals. After all, food makes us very happy, and we want to express that happiness in the dining room also!

Some Tips to Improve our Dining…

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Easy Guide to Preventing Dry Rot in Your Staten Island Home

Did you know that dry rot is ironically created from having too much moisture come in contact with wood? The fact is Staten Island homeowners are unaware that dry rot is even setting in, so the first step toward prevention is being able to diagnose possible areas of exposure before dry rot becomes a major renovation expense.

Remember that dry rot to your foundation can be an extremely costly repair and will definitely figure prominently into the total value of your property when a house inspection is completed prior to a sale. As well, fungus and mold spores can affect the air quality of your home, which is a health problem for not only you and your family but also for prospective buyers.

Identifying Leaks To Your Water Membrane

In a very simple…

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How to Pass: Your Home Inspection

Home inspections are a tense time for everyone. Sellers are fervently hoping that nothing major is wrong with their home that could hold up the transaction. Buyers are eager to hear that their new Staten Island house is in prime condition. Whatever the wishes, one thing is for sure; any news from an inspector is usually bad news.

Home inspectors are trained to spot hundreds of potential issues with a home and be knowledgeable of local codes, community restrictions and residential permit parameters. Stay one step ahead of your home inspector by reading the list of common home inspection issues below. Then hopefully your inspection won’t reveal any unwelcome surprises.

Electrical Wiring

This is a common bubble-busting issue, especially in older…

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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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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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Know When to Flip and When to Walk Away

Whether you are buying a new house, or currently the homeowner and looking for a new take, it's always good to look at the bigger picture before you lay down the cash. There are buyers who will purchase a house to flip and sell again at a higher value, and then there are homeowners who renovate to list with a bigger number. Before you become either one of these, ask yourself: Is it worth it? If yes, what is the best financial way to?

Step 1: Research. Look into the pricing and benefits of renovating the room in mind. If you are a buyer looking to flip, research the neighborhood. Although you can have a great price in a least favorite neighborhood, doesn't mean it's the best investment. You may have difficulty reselling quickly despite your thousands of…

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Time For A Bathroom Makeover

Besides your kitchen, the restrooms in your home probably get the most use. Not only is it nice to step into a clean, modern bathroom, but also giving this room a makeover will increase the value of your home and see a return when it’s time to sell. Below are five ideas to brighten up your morning routine and make you feel like you’re stepping into a spa.

1. Refinish Your Tub

After a while, every white bathtub starts to get a little dingy. Hiring a professional to refinish your tub could cost you upward of $300. Don’t spend the big bucks when you can do it yourself. You can purchase a refinishing kit for around $30 at any hardware store.

2. Install His And Her Showerheads

If your shower is large enough, then install custom his and her…

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Secure Your Home Against A Break In

It seems we are constantly reading about burglaries and break ins. Burglars don’t just steal your stuff; they steal your peace of mind. While this is the sort of thing you think will never happen to you, it’s worth the time and effort to make sure you’re not a target. Below are five strategies to help secure your home against a break-in.

1. Use Landscaping As A Barrier

Purposefully place plants in spots that create a natural barrier to your home. Plant thorny rose bushes in front of bedroom windows and remove overgrown shrubs that provide coverage for creepers. Also, trim back any tree branches that might make an open upstairs window accessible.

2. Put In A Security Alarm

While a loud alarm might not stop a burglar from quickly grabbing the…

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