Mark Ballin Homes

September Getting Your Home Ready For Holiday Visitors It’s nearly time for autumn, and that means that the holidays are coming! Are you ready to welcome visiting friends and family into your new home? It might seem like you have a lot to do, but relax; I’ve included a handy list of things to take care of before your guests start arriving! I hope this list is helpful for you, and I hope you’ll give me a call at (562)618-1833 if you need any additional information (about y...our home or about real estate in general)! I love to help and very much enjoy being your friend and REALTOR. Sincerely, Mark Ballin FIVE QUICK TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR GUESTS Plug it in: Make sure that all of your appliances are in working order. The last thing you need with a house full of guests is a broken dishwasher or washing machine! Make space: Clean out the dressers and closets in the guest room(s) to ensure that your friends and family will feel comfortable and at home. Baby-proof: If your house isn’t already baby-proofed and if small children will be coming to stay or visit, take a little time to ensure that electrical outlets are safely covered, sharp edges are padded, and that valuable knick-knacks are out of harm’s way. Light your fire: Make sure that your fireplace and chimney are clean and in working order. Gathering around the fire with friends and family is a cozy way to spend time reminiscing and chatting. Knock knock: Take a walk through your home and inspect all doors and windows. If the doors, hinges or latches are sticky or squeaky, make any necessary repairs before your guests arrive. This will ensure privacy for them AND for you!

Unclog a Sink without Harsh Chemicals Is there anything more annoying -- or gross -- than a slow-draining sink? It's a common problem and one that generations of homeowners have resolved by pouring something harsh down the drain to nuke the offender. But there are alternatives if you want to unclog a sink with more natural ingredients.... Try these fixes instead: A good old-fashioned snaking. It's amazing, and sometimes appalling, what you can retrieve. And if the stopper is hard to remove, any number of YouTube videos can show you how to easily unhitch it by pulling out the pivot rod and freeing up the opening. Sometimes the stopper itself has become clotted with gunk and caused the issue. Boiling water, vinegar and baking soda. Important: these are used in a staggered manner, NOT all at once. The vinegar and baking soda react and produce an active foam. Start by pouring the hot water down the drain, followed by about a half cup of baking soda. Wait a few minutes and add the vinegar (then watch the show!). Some folks recommend covering the opening. Follow with another round of super hot water to flush. Boiling water and dish soap. Boil a large pot of water and add a few teaspoons of dish soap, then pour down the drain. The idea is that the hot water and the soap will help loosen up any grease. Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda (about a half cup of each) and pour down the drain. Let sit for at least a half hour and then chase with boiling water. Plunger. It may sound a little gross, but try a plunger in the sink. And then scrub accordingly.

All hands on (a nicely stained) deck With the rainy days of spring behind us and outdoor activities in full effect, it's a good time to think about deck maintenance. In particular: staining. Stain is largely considered a better option than paint for decks because paint flakes and also collects moisture and water; paint sits in a layer on top of the deck, while a stain seeps in and serves to protect the wood.... Experts recommend staining your deck every couple of years to keep it in peak condition. You'll need a couple of dry days and a handful of materials, and then you can relax on your gorgeous entertainment area. Failing to keep up with stain and/or sealant can result in mildew, added wear and tear, and warping. With that in mind, here are some tips from This Old House: You'll choose a cleaner or a restorer to prep the deck. Cleaners -- which can be as simple as laundry detergent and bleach if the deck isn't extremely dirty -- are good for dirt and mildew, while restorers contain oxalic acid and are ideal for removing tannin streaks and stains around nail- and screwheads in cedar and redwood decks. You'll also choose between a sealer and a stain for your deck finish. Sealers are clear while stains contain various levels of pigment. The finish should repel water, preserve the wood with a mildewcide, and screen out UV rays. Oil-based or water-based? That's up to you. Oil-based finishes penetrate deeper into the wood, though water-based are easier to clean up and more forgiving in damp conditions.

New on the Market

The Fed announced on March 20, 2019 that there will be no more rate hikes for 2019! This comes as good news to many who are looking to purchase a home, buy their first investment property or refinance an existing mortgage. Interest rates have slightly improved due to this news; however, we do not anticipate this reduction will last long, nor do we foresee rates dropping in the months ahead. Market investors predict interest rates will remain at current levels with slight inc...reases and decreases based on market events and economic data as we move through 2019. I hope this update was helpful to you. I am here to serve you, so please do reach out if I can be of any assistance: 562-618-1833. Mark Ballin