We know we’re still in October, but when it comes to preparing our house for the winter, it is never too soon! We’ve seen before how the cold temperatures can cause damages to our homes and how we can prevent them, – and save some money along the way – remember?
Today, we are going to talk about a very important ally in wintertime: the heater!
In order to make it last the entire winter, we’ve prepared a list with everything you must look for, especially if you suspect your heating system may need some tending to! To make sure your heater is in good working condition, here’s what you must do:
Check the pilot light – seems obvious, but think about it: if the light isn’t working properly, then you can expect more system flaws!
Give your heating system a visual inspection – make sure it looks intact and there are no signs of visual damages!
Give your heater a good cleaning – again, obvious, but you must get it clear of dust and debris!
Inspect the ducts – check-up for leaks that may keep your heater from operating!
Trial run – after you’ve done all the steps above, it’s time for the truth: give your heating system a trial run. Turn on the furnace and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes, and check to make sure you feel the heat emitting from the system!
See, no mystery there! Not only your home will be warm and cozy for the winter, but also, you’ll be protecting the investment you’ve made in your heating system! Now you’re all set for winter!
Since the pandemic has changed the dynamics of the world, and has kept us more at home and even working from home, updating our house is refreshing to our mental health and an opportunity to make our family more comfortable.
We’re now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, at least in the United States, where places are starting to reopen this summer. This is a perfect time to have people over, make barbecue, host small gatherings, and having our homes prepared for all these pleasant moments is a very smart decision.
Keep it organized
Separate spaces for activities when you are at home most of the time is very important. Our tip here is to have space to work and leave this place only for this, your mind will understand that you have a schedule and you won’t feel overwhelmed.
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Second, you should have designated spaces for the other activities as well, like eating just in the kitchen, leaving the living room to hang out, or watch tv. This way, the family will associate relaxation with this area, and bedrooms are where we sleep, read some books, and just rest.
Third, keeping the house clean and neat will always maintain a positive mood and help you create a calm environment. Mess makes everybody stressed, so organizing the spaces will give you the sensation of relief.
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Colors
One of the easiest ways to change the vibe of your home without spending a lot is by painting some walls. Renewing the color of your house, for sure, will give you that new sensation, but if you’re not committed to painting walls, you can add color in decoration. Adding some colorful pillows or rugs, changing the curtains, or adding some artwork will bring an aesthetic touch to your home.
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How you can see in this picture, the colors can be discreet and elegant.
Add plants
Bringing the outside world into your home, plants are going to give life to your home and oxygen to the environment. More than that, taking care of plants in your home will be a fun activity and will not require so much time. To get more information, read our article Plants to Decorate Your Rental Home.
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Disconnect from the digital
More than ever, we are on our computers, phones, and online devices all the time. Therefore, having digital detox is essential to keep our minds on track and so that we aren’t compulsively checking what is happening online every free moment of the day. To do the digital detox, set times to not have your devices around, such as during dinner, or at bedtime, leave them outside the room. This will make a huge difference in your daily life!
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Invigorate with fragrances
Fragrances are really powerful tools to change the atmosphere, including your home. Adding some scents in specific spaces, you can create a mood for each part of your home. To do that, you can use liquid scents, candles, or incense.
After all these tips, your home will be refreshed and invigorated, and all your family will enjoy the new environment and dynamic you’re setting. However, if all these updates are not enough, maybe it’s time to move on, to move out, or better, to move into a new place. To help start your search, read our article Creating a list to find a new house.
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After all these tips, your home will be refreshed and invigorated, and all your family will enjoy the new environment and dynamic you’re setting. However, if all these updates are not enough, maybe it’s time to move on, to move out, or better, to move into a new place. To help start your search, read our article Creating a list to find a new house.
Living in a rental home has some limitations of what you can do to make the house look like you want. You can always consider making small changes that don’t require a significant financial investment, and you’ll feel at home after. Having this feeling and being comfortable is really important when moving to a new place, after all, the lease’s contract generally lasts only one year.
To add more life to your home, there’s nothing better than using plants to decorate. However, the truth is — most people are not experts when it comes to plants — people just go to the closest plant store and choose what they think is beautiful, or even receive some as a gift, falling into plant parenthood without knowledge.
Let’s start with the steps you should take before buying plants. First of all, evaluate the spaces you have in your home to place the plants. Remember that you have to think about how much natural light your home receives during the day, because some plant species need more light than others. For example, if you want to place a plant on a windowsill, consider choosing ones that thrive in dry and sunny conditions like the popular succulents.
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1. Snake Plant
This plant has this cool name because of its shape looks like a snake. The good news here is that it’s a low-maintenance plant and can live in any environment. However, it isn’t pet-friendly!
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2. Aloe Vera Plant
This plant is not easy to take care of, but it has many good anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so you can use it to brighten up your home and for medical purposes, like healing a small cut, just make sure to use it in the correct way. This is also not pet-friendly.
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3. Rubber Tree
If you’re a new “plant parent” or someone who forgets to take care of their plants, this one is perfect for you. It doesn’t need too much water, and it likes bright places. This one is pet-friendly!
Photo Getty
4. Bird’s Nest Fern
This beautiful plant likes humid environments and moderately bright places. For sure, this plant is going to give a special touch to your home, and for those who have pets, yes, it’s safe for them.
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Now it’s up to you! Which plant are you going to choose for your rental house? Tell us in the comments!
Settled in the late 1600s, this Litchfield County town is more densely populated than its neighbors, with a quaint downtown and more full-time residents.
Shortly before the pandemic, Brad and Courtney Akin began hunting for a weekend getaway from their two-bedroom rental in Queens. It wasn’t long before they fell in love with a converted barn and grain silo, built in 1800, in the town of Woodbury, Conn., on the southern edge of Litchfield County. By the time they closed on the property, Covid-19 was raging, so they crammed what they could carry from their apartment into a U-Haul and drove with their son, who was almost 2, to their new home. And that’s where they’ve spent much of their time since.
Mr. Akin, 36, is an associate business manager at a Manhattan-based financial services firm for musicians; Ms. Akin, 32, is a marketing manager for a media company in Manhattan. Both have been working remotely, happily ensconced in their 3,045-square-foot, four-bedroom post-and-beam house. They paid $370,000 for the property, which sits on 1.34 wooded acres. This spring, they tapped some of their maple trees to make syrup.
It’s not that they don’t miss New York and all the city offers. They have held onto their apartment, but as Ms. Akin put it, “Everything looks different now — this is our refuge.
Rustic beauty and peace are qualities that many Woodbury residents appreciate, whether they live there part-time or full-time. Barbara K. Perkinson, Woodbury’s first selectman, estimated that of the town’s roughly 9,700 residents, weekenders make up 10 to 15 percent.
What distinguishes the town from neighbors that are less densely populated and heavier on weekenders — specifically Roxbury and Washington — is its quaint downtown. Stretching about two miles, it is lined with mostly locally owned small businesses, shops and restaurants — some in plazas, some in restored antique homes. This area is part of what earned Woodbury its 2020 Reader’s Digest designation as Connecticut’s “most charming small town.”
Another aspect of Woodbury’s charm is its sense of history. Settled in the late 1600s, the town is infused with its past, evident in the numerous 19th-, 18th- and even 17th-century homes that pepper its leafy streets, and in the names of several of those streets that commemorate its founders.
The Farm sells G.M.O.-free produce at its farm stand, in its store and through its C.S.A. Credit: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
The Akins have been pleased to find plenty of red hearts honoring health care workers and anti-hate signs planted on lawns, as well as an active “Justice Woodbury” Facebook page and a weekly Black Lives Matter rally downtown. “They’re there literally every Sunday,” Mr. Akin said of the rallies. “People drive by and honk their horns.”
“OK, maybe not everybody here votes the same way,” he continued, acknowledging a townwide voting record that skews Republican. “But this town cares.”
What You’ll Find
Shaped like a rectangle with a jagged eastern side, Woodbury is bisected from its southern border to its northeastern corner by Route 6, also known as Main Street South and Main Street North, and the site of the downtown corridor. The rest of the town is primarily residential, its roads meandering past three rivers — the Pomperaug, Weekeepeemee and Nonnewaug — and more than 3,000 acres of parks, preserves and farmland.
RaeAnn Walcott, Woodbury’s assessor, said the town has 3,477 single-family homes. In addition to the antique houses, they include 20th-century ranches, raised ranches and Capes, and, in a few subdivisions, large 21st-century colonials.
85 OWL RIDGE ROAD | A four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house, built in 2007 on 2.02 acres, listed for $1.65 million. 203-578-0397 Credit: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
There are also 42 two-family homes and eight three-family homes, plus 712 condominiums in seven complexes, among them the 400-unit Woodlake. There are 31 rental buildings, most with four to 12 units; the two largest have 56 and 74 units.
What You’ll Pay
Pels Matthews, an agent with William Raveis Real Estate, said homes in Woodbury sell from the $100,000s for a one-bedroom condo, up to $2 million. “Most of the single-family houses on the market are between $350,000 and $1 million,” he said, noting that Woodbury doesn’t command the premium prices that Roxbury and Washington do. “There are some nice estates here, but there are no $5 million homes.”
As it is elsewhere, inventory is unusually low, and the market “is unbelievable,” said Timothy S. Drakeley, a broker at Drakeley Real Estate, with “significant activity in every price range.”
Bidding wars and over-asking-price sales have become common. Mr. Drakeley cited a house listed recently for $649,000: “We had three offers within three days, each one over $670,000.”
87 CARMEL HILL ROAD | A five-bedroom house with five full and two half bathrooms, built in 1988 on 2.38 acres, listed for $790,000. 203-982-2303 Credit: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
According to information provided and compiled by SmartMLS, Inc., as of May 3, there were 29 single-family homes on the market, from a 2,018-square-foot, three-bedroom 1760 colonial on 4.1 acres, listed for $195,900, to a 2,416-square-foot, four-bedroom 1845 colonial on 33 acres, with a pool and pool house, listed for $1.899 million. Three multifamily homes were available: a 906-square-foot two-bedroom for $368,500; a 2,434-square-foot two-bedroom for $449,900; and a 5,600-square-foot five-bedroom for $724,900. One condominium was on the market, a 546-square-foot one-bedroom, for $125,000, as was one rental, a 3,159-square foot, four-bedroom house, for $18,000 a month.Prices are up across the board. The median sale price for a single-family home during the 12-month period ending May 3 was $392,500, up from $356,000 during the previous 12 months. The median price for a multifamily home was $313,750, up from $277,500. The median sale price for a condominium was $145,000, up from $127,500. And the median monthly rental was $1,500, up from $1,400.
The Vibe
Because of its variety of housing, Woodbury is more socioeconomically diverse than many of its Litchfield County neighbors. Mr. Drakeley, a lifelong resident, said the community is a mix of families who have stayed for generations and transplants from New York City, Westchester County and more built-up places nearby, like Southbury, Watertown and Waterbury. Ms. Perkinson described Woodbury as having “a hometown feel, where everybody knows everybody.”
74 MIDDLE QUARTER ROAD | A four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house on 4.7 acres, built in 1835, listed for $599,000. 203-948-5255 Credit: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
Residents might bump into one another downtown, at the Canfield Corner Pharmacy or the popular New Morning Market and Vitality Center, one of two supermarkets in town. They might grab a craft beer at Woodbury Brewing Company or see a play at the nonprofit Community Theatre at Woodbury (once post-pandemic performances resume).Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the trails in several town-owned parks, including Hollow Park, with ball fields and a path along the Pomperaug River, and Orenaug Park, which has a rock-climbing section and an observation tower. Or they can hike to the scenic Nonnewaug Falls or wander in the 2,400-acre Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, which maintains seven nature preserves, six of them in Woodbury. And for nearly three decades, Woodbury has held one of the state’s largest Earth Day celebrations (this year, it was a pandemic-safe hybrid version).
The town has a longstanding reputation as the antiques capital of Connecticut, but with some of its antiques stores shuttering, that has shifted. Now some locals call it “Foodbury,” for its wealth of restaurants. Favorites include the farm-to-table Good News Restaurant and Bar; the historic 1754 House restaurant and tavern; and Dottie’s, a must-visit stop on doughnut tours.
The Schools
Woodbury is served by Regional School District 14, which also serves the adjacent town of Bethlehem. Of the district’s roughly 1,650 students, nearly two-thirds live in Woodbury.
Children in prekindergarten through fifth grade attend one of two schools: Mitchell Elementary School, in Woodbury, or Bethlehem Elementary School, in Bethlehem. Enrollment in prekindergarten, an integrated special education program for 3- and 4-year-olds, is determined by lottery, and tuition is charged.
Located near the border with neighboring Bethlehem, Nonnewaug Falls is part of a 50-acre park with hiking trails. Credit: Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
Students in sixth through eighth grade go to Woodbury Middle School before moving on to Nonnewaug High School; both schools are in Woodbury. Last fall, a three-year, $64 million renovation was completed at the high school, which includes the acclaimed Ellis Clark Regional Agriscience and Technology Center.
Data from the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Edsight portal indicated that on the 2018-19 Smarter Balanced assessments, 67.7 percent of the district’s fourth grade students were proficient in English language arts and 69.7 percent were proficient in math; statewide equivalents were 54.6 percent and 52.5 percent. Mean SAT scores for the 2020 graduating class were 528 in evidence-based reading and writing, and 512 in math, aligned with the College Board’s statewide means of 527 and 512.
The Commute
Woodbury residents might commute to nearby cities like Waterbury, a little more than 10 miles east; Danbury, 22 miles southwest; Torrington, 25 miles northeast; New Haven, 25 miles southeast; or Hartford, 41 miles northeast.
The commute to Manhattan, more than 80 miles southwest, is a long one, although some make the trip a few times a week. Those traveling to the city can head to Interstates 84 and 684 for the drive, which takes less than two hours, depending on traffic. Or they can drive more than 30 minutes southwest into New York to catch Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem line at Brewster, where trains to and from Grand Central Terminal take 79 to 107 minutes. Round-trip fares are $40 peak, $30 off-peak and $437 monthly; presently, all trains are considered off-peak.
The Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden is a public historic site. The house (named for its location on the glebe, or the parish priest’s farmland) dates to 1740 and is considered the birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Credit – Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times
The History
In the middle of the 20th century, the area around Woodbury was a haven for a small group of Surrealist artists. Alexander Calder, whose work found influences in Surrealism, lived in Roxbury. André Masson had a home in New Preston, and Arshile Gorky lived in Sherman. The painter Muriel Streeter and her husband, Julien Levy, a dealer in Surrealist art, lived in Bridgewater. And shortly after they married in 1940, Yves Tanguy and Kay Sage settled in Woodbury.
Mr. Tanguy, who came to the United States from France, painted disquieting dreamscapes populated with biomorphic abstractions, while Ms. Sage, the daughter of a New York State senator, set her geometric forms and architectural imagery in desolate landscapes. In 1946, the couple bought a 19th-century farmhouse and barn on Old Town Farm Road and converted the barn into side-by-side studios. After Mr. Tanguy’s death in 1955, Ms. Sage remained there until she took her life in 1963. The home and barn still stand.
Looking for a new apartment or house is very exciting, whether you’re a young adult looking for your first house or if you’re a seasoned renter. The feeling of going to a new place and into a new phase of life is quite thrilling. However, the rental process is not easy and sometimes not so enjoyable. When these times happen, you should be careful when choosing what you want and follow these steps to make the process go smoothly.
1.Evaluate the neighborhood
Moving to a new neighborhood is very cool, especially if it is a place you’ve been looking for for a long time. However, in this step, it is very important to go to the area on different days of the week and times of the day. This way, you will see how the neighborhood is on many occasions. Do you feel safe? Is the place quiet? Does the neighborhood have everything you need? These are a few questions that you should consider before moving.
2. Inspect the property
This is one of the most important steps. You have to inspect the house you’re looking at if you want to avoid problems. Many houses look great at first, but our advice here is to hire a professional to inspect the place for you. However, just do it if you are deciding to buy the property, because it’s not necessary to inspect houses or apartments that you’re not interested in. If you want more information about hidden costs, check our post “Plan for Hidden Costs When You Buy a Home”
3.Reading the lease
We all know that lease contracts are long and difficult to understand. However, this document contains all the information about the rental, so reading it all very carefully is important to avoid misunderstandings. Take your time reading it, and if you think it is necessary, ask the owner or a legal professional the questions you have.
4.Renter’s insurance
Insurance is not just for homeowners! If you’re renting a house or apartment, it is crucial to get insurance, because if something happens to your personal belongings, replacing them will be covered. Usually, this type of insurance is pretty affordable, and it is better to be safe than sorry.
With all these steps, your decision-making process will be easier. We know renting is simpler than buying a house, but it’s still a big decision. Following these steps will ensure that you make the best decision for your new home.
Nowadays, working from home has been more common than ever, the pandemic of Covid-19 accelerated what could have taken some years to happen. Many companies have been adapting to the new way to work, the employees as well. However, like everything in life, working from home has its pros and cons, and a lot of people have said that they have been living in their work anyway and didn’t have another option for that. So, to make this less damaging to family life, we’ll show you some reasons why separating a space in your house to make your home office is a good idea.
Increase value to your house
Setting up a home office can increase the value of your property. Due to the number of people working from home currently, this type of house has been a trend on the market, thus, many people are looking for a place that already has a home office. However, it is important to not set up your office in a sunroom or a special space in the house because that can devalue it.
Creating a work atmosphere
Having a separate room to work, even though you are at home, will give you the sensation of going to work. This is helpful for your mind and ability to concentrate, you’ll know how to organize yourself to start and finish the work. The best part is when you close the door, you leave your office, so it’s time to relax!
Boundaries with your family
One of the major issues that people have when working from home is that the family can’t understand really well when you are working or not. Having a specific place to work at home will help your family to understand that you are at home, but you’re working and need to focus. So, if you’re inside of your home office, that means you’re busy.
After all, these advantages will make you prioritize setting up a proper home office. When you see the positives far outweighing the negatives, you will be very grateful to have your own place to work.
Buying a house can be very exciting and at the same time terrifying. A big life decision always gives us butterflies. Many questions come to our mind: CanI find the perfect location? Does the house fit in my budget? Or even if my life changes, will this place fit a big family? We are going to give you some tips to help you realize when you have found the perfect house.
To start the decision-making process, you have to get a calculator and look at your budget — that is the most important part. You should look inside your life and check what you can afford, your lifestyle, and the stability you have. Then, when choosing the house, pay attention not just at the listing price, but the house characteristics as well.
For example, if the house has a pool or guest house, or if it is a house with vaulted ceilings, it will take longer to heat. All this has to be considered as well, since their costs add up to maintain the house.
Lifestyle is important to think about, whether you want to live in the city or in the suburbs. Also consider, if you want to have a garden, backyard, guest room for your loved ones, if you want to have pets, or how many kids you have or will have. If you stay at home during the day or more at night, think about if you want a giant window with a view or a beautiful view of the space inside the house. Our tip here is to write down a list and see what fits best in your current life.
While you are visiting the houses, pay attention to your feelings. This may sound like guru advice, but it’s really essential. The feelings you have inside the house are very important, so if you feel happy, calm, warm, and relaxed, maybe this is the house for you. However, if you feel stressed, agitated, or anxious this place definitely isn’t for you. So, make sure you are going to choose a house you feel your best in.
When you finally make the decision and find a house you love, should you make an offer? If you follow all our steps, have the items checked off on your list, and know it is your dream house, the answer is yes, just do it!
