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When it comes to cleaning your house – the seemingly never-ending task – you most likely find a spot thats almost always missed. Some people bring a professional house cleaner into their home, however, not everyone can afford to do so. These tips will help you clean your home, and keep it clean, like a pro.

Declutter, Then Clean
The first task you should tackle before you start the cleaning process is to declutter. Instead of moving things around while youre dusting or vacuuming, move clutter and small items out of the area. Take this opportunity to wipe down and dust off knick-knacks, frames and other decorative items to place back into the clean rooms once youre done.

Always Clean From Top to Bottom
No matter which room youre cleaning, you always want to start at the top. Upper cabinets in your kitchen, the top of your medicine cabinet in your bathroom and high shelves and tall dressers in your bedroom are just a few examples of where to start. Work your way down to the floor to avoid any dust or dirt taking over clean spots.

Apply Products, Then Let Them Sit
As you make your way through each room, apply your cleaning products and let them sit before wiping. For example, spray down your coffee table and walk away. Dust your shelves or vacuum your furniture and give the cleaners time to disinfect and do their job. Following this step on all surfaces throughout your home will ensure a deeper clean.

Use Cloths Instead of Paper Towels
Save money – and trees – by trading in the roll of paper towels for soft, microfiber cloths for cleaning. Cloths are washable and reusable, making them a more environmentally conscious option. Also, due to the softness and fabric and fibers, a more even clean can be achieved, especially on glass, stainless steel and other smooth surfaces.

Utilize Your Dishwasher
Your dishwasher doesnt have to be strictly for your dishes. If you happen to find dog toys under the couch, garden tools covered in mulch or even sandy flip flops from you latest beach trip, your dishwasher can clean them in no time. During your declutter step, items that are dishwasher safe should make their way to the kitchen for a quick, deep clean.

Vacuum the Furniture
Most vacuums come equipped with different attachments for different purposes. Utilize the tools for your furniture to clean up hidden crumbs, pet hair and dust trapped in the fabric. Dont forget the top to bottom rule! Shake out cushions, pillows and throws onto the floor and deep clean your furniture before you start on the hardwood or carpet.

Clean in Natural Light
The best way to ensure your house gets its cleanest is to have enough natural light, usually between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Open up the curtains and blinds in every room and you will get the correct light to spot the most dust. In a low-lit, dim room or under a bright white light bulb, dust, stains and hair can be missed. Plus, sunlight is a natural disinfectant and youll be saving on electricity!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Porches are very popular, but a screened porch is a must-have for some because of bugs and weather that is more worrisome than before. Screened porches offer an outdoor sanctuary in an age of increasing concerns about pest-borne diseases, which is one of the reasons they have been increasing in popularity over the years.

They will provide protection against bugs, but also offer shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. Additionally, a screened porch will lower ground temperatures, saving on cooling costs in the summer. A screened porch will also reduce the sunlight that reaches adjacent interior rooms.

Lighting options are greatly increased as well. During the day, you can still rely on the sun, but at night, you can use recessed lighting, pendant lights or even a ceiling fan to give the room even more light and comfort.

Sellers or those who recently purchased a home might even consider building an entirely new porch if there is space available, say between the garage and house. But keep in mind that it doesn’t add to the home’s total square footage.

If you do decide to go this route, there are numerous options when deciding on the materials to build with. A quick look around the web will provide advice on designing the porch in three phases: flooring, exterior materials and interior trim. Everything from pressure-treated Yellow Southern Pine to vinyl and to up-cycled composites can be considered.

When getting started, know what you want in the look of your ceiling from the beginning. Flat ceilings can give a screened porch that interior room feel, whereas a vaulted or cathedral ceiling is spacious, allowing for better ventilation.

Also, think about doors carefully. Do you want one leading directly to the house, or do you want it to wrap around the side for easier entry from a pool or outside entertaining area? Aluminum doors are highly recommended because wood doors tend to warp over time.

While this might seem like a project you might want to tackle yourself, using a professional contractor is probably best, as they will know the zoning laws, can deal with any issues of wires that might pop up, and can create something in less time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Maybe youre moving and want to properly stage your home. Or perhaps you just want to enjoy your home more, with less stuff interfering with your dcor. In any case, decluttering your house or apartment can create a more peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment that everyone who enters your home will appreciate. Here are some easy tips to help you get started:

Set Goals/Make a Plan
The first step is making a list of the areas in your home”problem zones”that need your attention. Plan a day to tackle each area (or two, if its particularly troublesome). Setting aside an hour every morning before your day gets going (or one morning a week, depending on your schedule) can help.

Look for Things That Give You Joy or Efficiency
For each item, consider the last time you used it, how useful it is and whether you enjoy using it. If the answer to these three questions is over a year ago or no, toss or donate it.

Invest in Attractive Storage
From a new hamper to shelving, spending a bit of money on organizing tools that double as dcor can help your home feel less cluttered and help you keep it that way.

Pare Down Collections
Some items have sentimental value”childhood collections like dolls or trophies are common dust gatherers and waste space. Choose 2 or 3 to keep and you wont agonize over the decision or lose valuable shelf or storage space.

Check All Expiration Dates
Double check the dates on food, spices and medicine. Prescription meds can be turned into most police stations for proper disposal.

Start Small and Slow
If youre someone who has hoarding tendencies (no judgement here!), acknowledge it and dont give yourself anxiety by bringing half your wardrobe to charity or throwing out half of your childhood mementos all at once. Take one box at a time and youll stay the course without giving yourself additional stress.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A home addition could provide much-needed space to relax, entertain guests or pursue a hobby. It could also affect your property tax bills, but the amount and timing of the tax increase would depend on several factors.

How do Local Governments Assess Property Taxes?
Each city or town assesses property taxes according to a formula that considers its budgetary needs and local laws. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of a house, which can be determined by an individual homes square footage and amenities and the characteristics and sale prices of the neighborhood as a whole.

Some local governments assess property values once a year, others every few years. Some only reassess property values when a home is sold, while in other areas, major home improvements automatically trigger a reassessment.

An addition that increases your homes square footage and/or market value would most likely lead to higher taxes. Depending on where you live, adding another room could raise your property taxes by a lot or a little.

Dont Try to Dodge Higher Taxes
Tax assessors often check to see if a permit was issued for home improvements before they assess property values, and in other cases, the building department automatically notifies the tax assessors office when a permit is issued. In some areas, field appraisers drive through neighborhoods looking for changes to houses. Some local governments even take aerial photographs and use software to compare images captured at different times to spot changes that could affect home values.

If you had work done without a permit, the tax assessors office could find out on its own, or a neighbor who was upset about the noise and mess or who had a beef with you for an unrelated reason could report the unpermitted work. That means you could face both higher property taxes and punishment for not obtaining a permit.

Even if you werent caught right away, you could encounter other problems. An addition built without a permit wouldnt be inspected and approved, which means the contractors might perform shoddy work that could put your family and guests in danger. Unreported work could also lead to problems if you decided to sell your house in the future.

Find out How an Addition Could Affect Your Tax Bills
Improving your home by adding more living space could make it more comfortable for your family and increase its market value, but it would most likely raise your property taxes as well. The amount of the increase would depend on several local factors, and you might not get a higher bill until months or even years after you built the addition. To get specifics on what to expect, contact your local tax assessors office.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Want to make your home stand out from the others in your neighborhood? Updating your garage can be a simple way to accomplish this while boosting curb appeal at the same time. Here’s how to get started:

Try a New Color
One option to make your home’s garage door draw attention is to use a unique color. You have to be careful here, because a color thats too odd could actually be a drawback. Consider the overall look of your home and choose a color thatll complement your home’s architecture while still being different from the other homes in the neighborhood.

Choose a Unique Material
Are all the doors in your neighborhood metal or vinyl? Consider upgrading to a real wood door. Wood doors give a home character and a classic look, and they can be an asset to your home’s curb appeal. If you don’t want to spend more for a real wood door, consider a metal or vinyl door that is finished to look like wood.

Add a Unique Design
Most garage doors look very similar. Four rows of paneling, often decorated with squares and maybe a row of windows at the top, is fairly standard. Mix this up a bit, and your home will stand out. Use a flush style or long panel door. If you have the budget and the time, consider redoing the door and the frame to add some curves. Arched garage doors instantly grab attention and attract interest in the home.

If your home doesn’t give you room for arches, get creative with the four-panel look. Use molding or glass to add a unique design to this standard shape. Vertical paneling and arched windows can also make the door stand out, without changing its overall shape. Paint the panels to match your siding and the trim to match the house’s trim for a distinctive, yet classic look.

Upgrade the Finishing Touches
From the handle to the glass in the windows, the finishing touches on your garage door can be the final piece of the puzzle as you try to make it stand out. Wrought-iron decorative touches on the panels can add the distinction you need. Even changing the lighting near your garage door can make a difference. Upgrade these small touches and give your garage door some extra pizzazz.

Updating your garage door can be a valuable way to make your home look distinctive and increase its curb appeal. If youre thinking about selling your home in the near future, consider making this change now to improve your selling experience.

Source: Mid-Atlantic Door Group

Published with permission from RISMedia.