Deodorize Your Clothes
Problem: Musty Clothes
Your vintage woolens are back in style, but they bear stale odors picked up during their stint in fashion purgatory.

Solution: Spritz garments with a small amount of vodka (spot-test first). Straight vodka kills bacteria, but it doesn’t leave a scent. Hang clothes to dry in a well-ventilated area.

Deodorize Your Kitchen Sink
Problem: Stinky Sink
The garbage disposal is great for keeping the dregs of dinner from lingering, but the resulting odors are more stubborn.

Solution: Give the disposal something nicer to chew on. Run hot water, drop orange peels down the hatch, and turn on the switch. Lemon, lime, and grapefruit rinds also do the trick.

Deodorize Your Freezer
Problem: Odor on Ice
Those UFOs (unidentified frozen objects) in the freezer make your piecrust smell like a substance from another planet.

Solution: Wipe the freezer with a cotton pad dampened with pure vanilla extract. Refrigerator shelves will benefit from a wipe-down with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water.

Deodorize Your Car
Problem: Car Fumes
Your car has been there for you through every trip to the vet, the recycling center, and fast-food joints, but you don’t want to be reminded of that every time you get behind the wheel.

Solution: Drop a potpourri wax tart into a cup holder. The tarts, used in fragrance burners, are sold by candle makers.

Deodorize Food Storage Containers
Problem: Storage Stench
Saving leftovers for lunch is virtuous; chucking containers because you can’t get rid of the smell of vegetable curry isn’t.

Solution: Soak plastic containers in warm water and baking soda overnight. Bathe glass jars in a mixture of one teaspoon powdered mustard and one quart warm water.

Deodorize Your Carpet
Problem: Scents Underfoot
Carpets can collect unpleasant odors, particularly in high-traffic areas and in spots where pets like to nap.

Solution: Cordon off the zone and sprinkle liberally with baking soda, then vacuum up a few hours later. Can’t keep everyone away that long? Do a quarter of the rug at a time.

Deodorize Your Pet’s Bedding
Problem: Essence of Rover
Your dog may be able to tell you’re cooking hamburger from across the room, but you shouldn’t be able to smell his favorite blanket from the same distance.

Solution: Toss it in the dryer (for 30 minutes, set on medium heat) with a home-dry-cleaning bag and cloth from Dryel (dryel.com).

Deodorize Your Basement
Problem: Subterranean Smells
Guests wouldn’t know that your beautifully appointed basement used to be a dank concrete bunker―until they take a whiff.

Solution: Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate, and leave it in the basement overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you’ll have fresh (non-oniony) air. Like magic!

(Article found on realsimple.com)

Whether your last move was across the country or across the street, it probably ended with two words: “Never again!” But you don’t always have the luxury of staying in the same place forever. Sooner or later, you find yourself surrounded by cardboard boxes and packing tape again. Don’t despair.

Here, you’ll learn how to hire a mover (or move yourself), pack your belongings properly, and do it all with relative ease. Take this advice―and maybe the two words that end your next move will be, simply, “I’m home.”

Choosing a Mover. Of course, there is more than one way to move. Depending on the size of your home, the distance of the move, your budget, and the amount of time you have to get yourself situated, you might choose to rent a truck and move yourself, hire a mover to do the job, or use a “you pack; we drive” service. Here’s the lowdown on each option.

Do it yourself. Are you comfortable driving a big truck on busy highways and narrow streets? Do you live in a fairly small home and have a few strong, very good friends you can recruit to help you? If so, moving yourself might be a good option, and an economical one, since you’re not paying a mover to load, drive, and unload your stuff. It’s also the option that gives you the most control.

Just be aware of hidden costs, such as insurance for the rental truck (your auto policy probably doesn’t cover this, and neither will the credit card you rent the truck with), gas, and the rental or purchase of special equipment you’ll need, like dollies and quilted furniture covers.

U-Haul and Budget are the biggest and best-known truck-rental firms. Both have different-size trucks for long-distance and local moves. Their largest trucks (26 feet for U-Haul, 24 feet for Budget) are big enough to move six to eight furnished rooms (including up to four bedrooms). Be careful not to underestimate all that you have to move, though. Extra trips might require more money―for the truck rental, mileage, and gas (and refreshments for your friends).

To check rates, reserve equipment, and find rental locations near you, go to uhaul.com or budgettruck.com. You might get better rates if you rent your truck midweek and midmonth and reserve it as far in advance as possible (as soon as you have an exact date for your move).

You pack and load; they drive. Several nationwide companies, such as ABF U-Pack Moving and Broadway Express, offer what they call self-move service. ABF U-Pack will move you only if you’re going out of state and more than 500 miles. Broadway Express will move you any distance, but shorter moves are relatively expensive because certain minimum charges apply. Both services deliver a trailer or a van to your house, where you load it. They then provide a professional driver, who takes your things to your new home, where you unload them.

This option saves you the hassle of driving a truck, and it is less expensive than using a full-service mover. You share the space on the truck with other customers (if you don’t need it all) and pay for only the space you use. Both companies have calculators on their websites to estimate the costs (see Web Resources on next page). You can get an initial quote by phone, fax, or e-mail, but be aware that actual charges will be higher if you exceed your estimated load.

Hiring a full-service mover. If you can’t afford to spend a lot of time getting from here to there, you’re moving a long distance, or you have a lot of stuff, this is your best bet. Good professional movers have the experience and equipment to move you quickly while avoiding damage to your property. “The first thing we do is protect the property by putting down floor runners, covering railings and doors, and putting down floorboard if we’re moving heavy appliances,” explains Jon Hollander, an owner of Hollander Storage & Moving Company, based outside of Chicago. Many movers will even pack everything for you ― a convenience that can be worth the additional cost (20 to 30 percent of the price of your move), especially if you have limited time.

There are bad moving companies. Of the more than 1,100 industries that the Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on, the moving industry ranked 14th in consumer complaints in 2003. So be sure to carefully check out anyone you’re considering (See Moving Checklists).

Web Resources

Find out what you can expect to pay for a “you pack and load; they drive” move with a moving calculator.

· broadwayexpress.net

· upack.com

Get help determining how many boxes you’ll need for your move.

· budgettruck.com

· uhaul.com

Research the business practices of the movers you’re considering.

· The Better Business Bureau, bbb.org

· movingadvocateteam.com

· movingscam.com

What You’ll Need. When planning your move, don’t forget the packing supplies. You can expect to spend around $250 or more on what’s needed to move the belongings of a couple or a small family. And keep in mind, it’s always better to get too many materials than too few. You don’t need last-minute box-gathering trips adding to the stress of your move. Here’s a list of what to have on hand.

Regular boxes. If you’re moving good stuff―and why would you pay to move bad stuff?―you should use good boxes. If you have used boxes and they’re in decent shape (not bent, torn, or damp), go ahead and use those. Hollander, however, recommends that you buy new boxes, made of strong corrugated cardboard (with an edge-crush test rating of at least 32 pounds per inch printed on the box). They cost from $1 to $5 each, depending on the size, but are less expensive when purchased in bulk. Whether you choose old or new boxes, make sure you have a variety of sizes to accommodate the different items you need to move.

So how many boxes do you need? “That’s like asking, ‘How long is a piece of string?’ ” Hollander says. As a rule of thumb, you should count on using at least 100 boxes for a sparsely furnished three-bedroom home, says Neil Vansant of Atlantic Relocation Services, a full-service mover in Atlanta that specializes in corporate moves.

Specialized boxes. For dishes and other fragile or heavy items, make sure to use “dish barrels,” which cost between $5 and $7 and are made of double-walled cardboard.

Wardrobe boxes, with a metal bar for hanging clothes, greatly simplify the packing and unpacking. Some movers may supply you with free wardrobe boxes for your move, which they’ll collect once you unpack them―make sure to ask before you place your box order. Expect to pay $7 to $15 each, depending on the size, if you have to buy them.

Long flat-frame boxes are ideal for protecting most large pieces of art and mirrors. These, too, may be provided by movers. If you’re moving yourself, you can purchase them from truck-rental companies.

Tape and tape guns. Brown packing tape, not surprisingly, is ideal. Never use masking tape or duct tape―they don’t stick well to cardboard. A couple of heavy-duty tape guns―one for you, one for your spouse or a friend―make taping and cutting a lot quicker. To pack up the contents of seven to eight rooms, you’ll need at least 440 yards of two-inch-wide tape. (Tape rolls come in 55- and 110-yard sizes.)

Packing paper. This is a professional mover’s secret weapon. Sold in 10- and 25-pound packages, packing paper (unprinted newsprint) is the most economical and versatile material for protecting nearly everything you’re moving. Use it for wrapping fragile items, and crumple it up for padding. “People think we use way too much paper,” Vansant says, “but it really creates the protection you need.” And unlike bubble wrap, it can be recycled. Many moving-supply companies sell specialized packing accessories―such as little foam bags and cardboard “cell kits” to protect glassware and other fragile items―but Vansant stresses that almost everything can be packed with simple packing paper.

Because it can stain, regular newspaper should be used only for extra padding around already wrapped items. For an average seven- to eight-room move, professional movers use as much as 120 pounds of packing paper.

Bubble wrap. It is expensive compared with packing paper but comes in handy to protect artwork framed behind glass and extremely fragile china and glassware, which should be wrapped in bubble wrap and then in packing paper.

Box cutters. They will help make unpacking a breeze.

Permanent markers. Get thick ones to mark your boxes for easy identification. Label boxes on the sides, not the tops, which may be covered by other boxes.

Mattress bags and furniture pads. If you’ve hired a full-service moving company, it will supply everything needed to protect your furniture as part of your total move cost. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll have to buy the bags for $3 to $6 and rent the pads for about $10 per dozen. Both are available from the leading truck-rental companies.

Dollies and hand carts. If you’re moving yourself, your back will thank you for using wheels to move heavy loads. Dollies and hand carts can be rented for about $10 a day wherever you get your truck. You can also buy furniture slides there. These go beneath the feet of heavy items, such as a couch, allowing you to easily slide them across the floor without damaging it.

Information gathered from www.RealSimple.com. Article written by Adam Bluestein.

When you’re selling your home, one of the biggest selling points is the kitchen. Here are some handy tips on how to improve the appearance of your kitchen.

Cleanliness is Everything

For most buyers, the kitchen is one of the key rooms. Keep it clean and sparkling at all times.

Clear the Counters

Clear counters make the room appear larger and easier to work in. Put seldom-used appliances under the counter, in moving boxes, or sell them at a garage sale.

The Stove and Oven

Clean the burners and the oven. Clean the ventilation hood with a good grease cutter and replace the filter. If any burner trays are damaged, they are cheap and easy to replace.

The Fridge

De-personalize the refridgerator door by removing all of the magnets, pictures, and notes. While most buyers won’t open the fridge door, a box of baking soda in the fridge will freshen any odors.

Sinks

To really whiten a porcelain sink, spread paper towels in the bottom and saturate with bleach for an hour or so. Remove water spots from a stainless steel sink with rubbing alcohol, club soda, or vinegar on a sponge. Fix any leaking faucets.

Floors

Repair or replace damaged linoleum, tile, or grout. Check with your insurance carrier as floor damage might be covered under your homeowener’s policy.

Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets often reveal a kitchen’s age and affect the buyer’s perception. Try cleaning them with an all purpose cleaner to take off grease and dirt. If necessary, re-paint them with a high-gloss enamel. For a modern, new look, try new knobs.

The Pantry

Buyers want to see lots of storage in a kitchen. Go through your pantry to see what you can dispose of and neatly organize the rest of it. There are many closet and cabinet organizing systems available at discount stores.

Lighten Up

If your kitchen is dark and dreary, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling will make a dramatic difference. Stay with bright, neutral colors, such as white, beige, or light grey. Replace any burned out bulbs and, if necessary, replace the curtains.

Doors and Drawers

Adjust and lubricate all door hinges and drawer guides. Remove as much of the unused items as you can at a yard sale or store in moving boxes.

What Risks Are Not Covered?
The standard owners policy and standard mortgage policy are based on public records of the recording district in which the land is located. It does not insure against matters which would only be disclosed by actual inspection or survey of the property. It does not insure against certain matters not shown by the public records such as unrecorded easements liens or money obligations; unrecorded utility rights of way public or private roads community driveways and other types of encumbrances or against the rights or claims of persons in possession of the property which are not shown by the public records.

Can Protection Be Obtained Against Matters Not of Record?
Upon application the issuing company may specially cover matters which are disclosed by a physical inspection and/or a survey of the property subject to any exceptions which the inspection will determine to be proper. An additional risk premium is charged for this type of coverage. Insurance of this kind is called Why Should I Have It Re-Issued to My Purchaser When I Sell?
The coverage of your policy is against all matters that appeared of record up to the date of issuance of your policy. Since that time many documents may have been recorded some of which may affect the title to your land. Taxes and assessments may have accrued and be unpaid. There may have been actions in court affecting your title. The purchaser is entitled to have full information and protection as to the condition of the title right up to the date of his purchase. In addition there may be matters of record which would prevent either the seller or buyer from selling buying or mortgaging land until such matters have been cleared. These items include such things as federal tax liens judgments incompetence divorce actions and other conditions which the title search may disclose.

How Are Premiums for Title Insurance Determined?
Title Insurance Premiums are determined by the amount and type of coverage provided. Unlike other insurance premiums however the title insurance premium is paid only once as the policy is effective for so long as title or “ownership” remains in the name of the insured or his heirs or devises. Rates are filed with the insurance commissioner who regulates the activities of title insurers.

(Information gathered from www.mortgage101.com)

Logan Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

• Number of Homes for Sale in Logan Rising Quickly
  I just ran a quick check of the number of homes for sale in Cache County, and was astonished to see that in just a week, the number of Logan Real Estate inventory had risen by nearly 5%. Exactly one week ago, Cache County had 687 residential real estate listings. Right now there are 720.

  Last year we didn’t hit inventory levels this high until the March when the Spring listing season typically hits. March and April are typically big months for listing homes for sale.

  

  Some of the increase in inventory can be attributed to the $6,500 move up tax credit. People want to sell by April so they can get the government money when they buy their new homes. However, this sharp spike in the number of homes for sale in Logan is alarming. Home prices will continue to decline as long as there are more homes on the market than there are buyers. At last years pace of home sales, we have more than 9 months of Cache County real estate inventory right now.

  
• 2009 Home Sales in Cache County Down 9%
  While the last quarter of the year saw improvements in home sales in Cache County, overall 2009 real estate sales were substantially down compared with 2008.

  For MLS listed homes, there were just 979 Cache County Homes sold, down 9% from the 1073 homes sold in 2008. Compared with 2007, when 1295 residential homes in Cache County Sold, home sales were down almost 25%. This is the lowest year of total home sales since 2003.

  

  
  

  Prices of homes sold were down by 4.78%. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all Cache County Real Estate depreciated 5%, but it does tell us that the homes that sold were less expensive. In all reality starter homes just slightly depreciated, and more expensive homes likely depreciated in value much more than 4.98%.

  

  It will be interesting to see what happens with real estate sales in 2010. Many economists are predicting that Utah Real Estate will have bottomed out by the end of the summer.

  
• Logan Utah Real Estate December Numbers
  Logan Utah Real Estate sales during December were almost identical to a year ago. From the MLS Listings sold during December, there has been reported one more home sold, and the average and median prices of homes sold was just slightly down.

  December of 2009 had 62 residential homes in Logan listed on the MLS sell. These homes had a median sales price of exactly $150,000 and an average price of $172,734.

  At this time last year, there were 61 Logan UT Real Estate listings reported as sold. These homes had a median price of $151,840, and an average price at $161,499. The average price is almost $10,000 higher this year, in large part because there were two Cache Valley Homes priced above $450,000 that sold in 2009, while there weren’t any homes that expensive that sold last year.

  

  There are currently 693 homes for Sale in Cache County Utah. This is the lowest level of inventory since February. There are 9 more homes on the market right now than there were a year ago. At December’s home sales pace, Cache Valley has 11.24 months of inventory. Until this goes down home prices will remain soft.

  December is the first month in quite some time that is mostly unaffected by stimulus. Although the government tax credits were extended, and still in effect, they were late enough that there were likely very few closings during December that were a direct result of the new $6,500 tax credit.

  If this is any indication of future home sales for Cache County, statistically we can expect a similar year for real estate in Cache Valley.

  
• Q4 Cache County Home Sales up 16%
  Home Sales in Cache County were up by 16% compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. So far, the there have been 249 Cache County Homes that have reported as sold on the MLS. These home sales numbers are very comparable with the fourth quarter of 2007 when the housing crisis in Logan really began.

  
  

  
  While home sales were up compared with last year, the median and average price of Cache County Real Estate was substantially down. It was the lowest fourth quarter levels in four years actually. The median home sales price was $154,800, down 7.36% from the median sales price during Q4 of 2008. The average sold price of Cache County Homes was $170,743, down 4.82% from the average 2008 price of $179,743.
  

Exactly how much of your investment you’ll investment you’ll recoup depends on a number of factors, such as the “big picture” housing market, the value of the homes in your neighborhood, when you plan to sell and the exact nature of the improvement. Also, consider that the longer you live in your home after a project is completed, the less likely you are to recoup its value. Just try to convince a potential buyer that Harvest Gold is cutting edge.

Below are some examples of a few improvements that usually pay off- and some that rarely make a difference (no matter how much you paid for them) when it comes time to sell your home.

Painting

If you’re planning to sell your home in a year or two, a fresh coat of a neutral-toned paint could make the sale easier. A professional exterior paint job may also recoup close to 75% of its cost. Let’s face it- we all like things fresh-looking.

Kitchen

With just a few basic improvements, your kitchen can practically pay you back with interest! New paint, wallpaper and flooring are always appreciated; plus, you might even consider sanding, staining or painting worn-looking cabinets. Replacing old cabinet hardware is a low-cost improvement that makes a big difference in appearance. According to Remodeling magazine, the average spent on major kitchen remodeling is around $39,000; refinishing an outdated one averaged $15,000. The full kitchen remodeling recouped 80% of its cost, the more moderate remodeling was valued at 87%.

Area Conversions

Generally speaking, increasing the functional space of your home holds its value longer than remodeling just to make the house look better. It’s also much less expensive than adding an addition to your home. Converting attic space into a bedroom, for example, usually costs around $30,000 and returns about 73% of its cost, according to Remodeling magazine. Turning your basement into extra living space costs, on average, $40,000, with a recoup average of about 69% of your costs.

Extra Bathroom

You usually can’t go wrong by adding an extra bathroom. At an average cost of $14,200, a new full bath can recoup 81% of its total cost!

Deck

Adding a deck is a very cost-efficient way to add square footage to your house. Decks cost around $6,000 and generally recoup 75% of their value. Compared to other outdoor improvements (except painting) that’s an excellent return.

New Windows

Your utility bill savings may make up for iffy resale value, however, a good set of standard windows should get you around 68% back. If you start getting too fancy with custom shapes and sizes, though, don’t expect to get as much return.

Swimming Pool

In a word- don’t! Unless you’re putting it in for you and your family to enjoy, it’s commonly agreed that a swimming pool has no resale value at all. Reason #1? Sure, they sound nice, but pool are very expensive to maintain. Running a close second is the fear of pool accidents- that’s something nobody wants to experience.

Picture-Perfect Gardens

Another nicety, but who’s going to spend all that time- and money? If the potential buyer is not horticulturally inclined, chances are your floral handiwork won’t add to the offering price. The same can be said for expensive fences and stone walls- they look nice, but buyers don’t pay up for them.

Basic is Better

It may not sound very exciting, but it’s the basic improvements you make to your home that may have the greatest return on its value: a beautiful new bathroom won’t make up for a leaky roof. So if you’re thinking of selling your house in the next year or so, be sure to address any problems the home may have before you, say, install those sunken gardens you’ve always dreamed of.

There are many things you can do to improve the appearance of your home for a showing. Here are some great tips:

Repair a Leaky Roof

One small stain on a ceiling will cause most buyers to worry about the whole roof and move on. Find and fix the leak and save the warranty. Repair any damage to the ceiling. For white ceilings, try spraying bleach and water on the yellow spot (be sure to cover the carpet.)

This and That

Tighten loose knobs, fix leaky faucets and toilets, lubricate squeaky hinges, replace dirty filters, secure loose shingles, fix holes in screens, repair broken window panes.

Reduce Clutter

We all collect things which we rarely use. This is a good time to thin out some of your accumulations. Remove clothes from closets, linens from the hall closet, and collectibles from the fireplace mantel. You will need to pack it anyway, so why not start now?

Front Entrance

Use high pressure water to clean the front porch. Clean or repaint the front door. Use a toothpick to clean around the door bell. Add brass accents and blooming plants.

Repair a Wet Basement

Many times the problem can be solved simply with covers over window wells or redirecting down spouts. If the cause is more extensive, call a professional and get a quote. Then disclose to the buyer.

Exterminate

One bug – dead or alive – can make a bad impression on a buyer. Call in a professional to rid your home of insects such as termites, ants, wasps, and cockroaches. Repair any insect damage.

Kitchen

Clear the counters and store seldom used small appliances, storage containers, and large baking pans. Change the cabinet handles for an updated look. Wax the floor.

Bathrooms

If even after cleaning, the bathroom still looks dingy, consider replacing the vanity, sink, and toilet. It’s also often affordable to replace flooring in a bathroom.

Fireplace

Remove the ashes from the fireplace. Lay some fresh logs to make it look inviting.

It is currently a buyers market in Logan Utah as housing inventory levels are approaching record highs. Properties are still selling, especially affordable homes. For the most part, home prices are not expected to decline. The Cache Valley real estate market has slowed since August of 2007, but the Logan trends have not been nearly as drastic as those in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties.

Logan Utah Real Estate Market Conditions

• Multi Family Home Sales in Logan Improving
  
  Home Sales of Multi Family Homes in Logan, Duplexes, Triplexes, and Fourplexes are improving. They are definitely not outstanding, but over the last three months they have been up compared with the rest of the year.

  There are currently 9 Duplexes for Sale in Logan, and 26 Tri and Fourplexes for Sale. This includes most of the Multi-Family properties for sale in Cache County. Outside of Logan there are three additional duplexes for sale found in Smithfield and Hyrum, and one additional fourplex for sale.

  In the last year 15 Duplexes in Cache County have sold. With the current 12 on the market, this gives Cache County 9.6 months of inventory at the annual rate. But, during the last three months 5 Cache County Duplexes have sold. This is just 7.2 months of inventory at the past three month pace.

  Inventory of tri and four-plexes has also seen improvement, but the numbers are still pretty dismal. Cache County currently has 27 tri/fourplex properties for sale. In the last year, just 13 of these properties have sold. This is more than 2 Years of inventory! But, over the last three months there have been 4 fourplexes sold, which lightens the blow a little bit and brings the active inventory down to 20 months.

  Overall there still just isn’t a lot of buyer activity for investment properties in Logan. By far, duplex purchases have been the most popular. It’s a tough market to try and sell four-plexes.

  You can view all the MLS listed Duplex’s, Triplexes, and Fourplexes for sale in Logan here.

  
• Cache County Sellers are Getting Closer to Ask Price
  Cache Valley home sellers have been getting 6.5% less than their original list price when selling their homes the last two months. This is closer to the original list price than we’ve seen in a while.

  This tells us that either home buyers are offering more, or else sellers are now more realistic with their original list price. From April-September, the average sales price of Cache County Utah Real Estate was more than 10% less than the original list price.

  
• Short Sales in Logan Utah
  There are currently 12 Short Sales in Logan Utah, and 35 in the smaller Cache Valley cities. This is up slightly from last month. Currently, 6.37 percent of all active listings are Cache Valley Short Sales.

  Five of the current Logan Short Sales have already been approved by the bank. This means the purchase transaction shouldn’t be much different than an ordinary transaction from the buyers standpoint. The other 62 Cache County properties listed as short sales still require bank approval before closing can actually take place. This means the real estate transaction could take many months, or may not actually even happen at all if the bank isn’t willing to allow the short sale.