Monthly Archive for November, 2009

In the New London/Lake Sunapee area real estate market, or any market for that matter, overpricing a home in a buyer’s market is definitely not a good strategy for selling.  Today’s buyers are very cautious about overpaying, are more discerning and are less likely to accept defects found on inspections.  With the abundance of properties on the market and price reductions seen on a daily basis, buyers are taking longer to buy and are pickier about what they buy.  Sellers should not aggressively price their house in anticipation of buyers making offers.  Most buyers won’t waste their time offering on a listing over-priced for the market – especially when there are other choices.  In fact, other agents will use your over-priced listing to help them sell the well-priced listings. In this changing market, sellers are no longer in the driver’s seat.  Comparable sales from even a few months ago may not be applicable for today’s market.  For best results, rely on your realtor for a realistic price assessment.

Donna Forest, ABR

What would Granny do?  Rediscover the joy of green and cheap solutions!

1. Line Dry Your Sheets and Towels

Indulge yourself by sleeping each night on pillowcases and sheets freshened by sun and breeze, both of which naturally disinfect and lift stains. You’ll also save energy, since automatic dryers use 6 percent of household electricity.

2. Get a Rain Barrel Buy a fab-looking rain barrel from a garden store, such as a space-saving model that ‘pops up,’ or simply use something old. You’ll reduce the amount of storm water that runs off your property and into overburdened sewers, causing erosion and spreading pesticides, oil and other toxins. Use the water for plants and save on your water bills.

3. Reinvent the Root Cellar You don’t have to live with a dirt-floor cellar to take advantage of stocking up on fresh vegetables and fruits during harvest (when prices are cheap). All you need is a cool, dark place that won’t freeze; it could be under a stairwell, or in a corner of a basement, garage or shed.

Pack clean, dry produce — such as carrots, beets, potatoes and winter squash — in boxes surrounded by sawdust, sand or straw. You want good air circulation and relatively high humidity (earthen floors work well, or put out trays of water or damp cloths). Remove spoiled items immediately and keep apples separate, since they promote ripening.

4. Supplement Your Heat with a Wood Pellet Stove

Pellet stoves are vastly more efficient than traditional fireplaces or woodstoves, and produce very little smoke and ash. They are easy to install in many settings, and don’t require a masonry chimney. They use a little electricity (to run fans and controls), and slowly burn wood pellets that are made out of recycled, compressed sawdust that would otherwise be thrown out by mills.

5. Rediscover Borax and Baking Soda

People have been cleaning and bathing with mild, naturally occurring baking soda since ancient Egypt. It is great for scouring and deodorizing many surfaces, from tile to toys and hands. Borax is an element that forms crystals in arid regions. It makes a good cleaning agent, disinfectant, mold killer and stain remover, from the laundry room to the bathroom. Both substances are cheap and readily available.

6. Repel Moths with Aromatic Herbs

To protect your fabrics, use cedar shavings and blocks or cheesecloth bags filled with cloves, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves or other herbs. Your favorite sweaters, not to mention your drawers and closets, will smell fresh and clean. You’ll avoid mothballs, which contain a pesticide the EPA links to cataracts, liver and neurological damage.

7. Use Vintage Dish Towels

Avoid paper towels, and have fun finding and collecting vintage and funky dish towels from garage and estate sales, auctions and online. You can even get different sets for the seasons and holidays. You’ll add a splash of color (and a conversation piece) to your kitchen and table.

(www.TheGreenGuide.com)