For several years now, open floor plans have been favorites, and they still top many buyers’ wish lists. While benefits to an open floor plan abound, they’re not the best choice for everyone. Here’s how to decide what floor plan works best for you and your family.

Open floor plans. With an open floor plan, the main floor of the house is dominated by one large room, usually called a “great room,” typically combining the kitchen with a living room. Benefits of open floor plans, which gained popularity in the 1990s, are many. These homes typically have more abundant natural light, which compliments the casual atmosphere you usually find in open plan homes. The feel is more spacious because the square footage isn’t divided into smaller rooms. An open floor plan also lends itself to entertaining, allowing the cook to mingle with friends and family. Finally, an open floor plan encourages family togetherness, making it easier for adults to keep an eye on small children.

Open floor plans have certain drawbacks, however. There is such a thing as too much togetherness, especially if you have a large family. Personal space and privacy are tough to come by. The great room can also be loud at times due to the acoustics of an open space. In addition, it’s hard to hide your messes. Dirty dishes and cooking odors are out in the open.

Closed floor plans. Historically, most houses have been designed with living spaces separated from the kitchen by walls and doors, creating a more formal, traditional feel. Though these rooms may not be as open and light as a great room, a closed floor plan has certain advantages. Defined spaces allow for rooms to perform specific functions. You’ll also have more walls to place shelves and display art. If you love decorating, you might enjoy having a variety of spaces, each with its own style. A big bonus of having a separate kitchen is that it contains the mess and odor of food preparation. Finally, a closed floor plan provides rooms for a quiet escape.

When preparing your home for sale, drive-up appeal is crucial, but don’t overlook the importance of your backyard space, where potential buyers should be able to envision themselves relaxing. Let’s make it shine in six quick and easy steps.

Clean up the clutter. For many people, the backyard becomes a haven for junk when the garage has more than it can handle. That decrepit barbeque grill, the leftover lumber from the fence repair, and any other eyesores need to go.

Clean off the deck or patio. If your patio is dingy, or the deck needs refinishing, try power washing them. Repair any broken or decaying spots, and then apply a new stain and seal. For patios, clean out grass and weeds growing between masonry joints. With very little money and minimal effort, your outdoor space will look nearly new.

Landscaping should accent the living area with lush greens and colors that pop. The lawn should be weeded, well hydrated and manicured. Use colorful potted plants to accent the patio or deck. Trees and shrubs should be neatly trimmed.

Replace or refurbish patio furniture. Most patio furniture can be repainted. Replace tired seat cushions for a fresh look.

Polish and clean the barbeque grill and add a new cover. If you have an outdoor kitchen, make sure counters are clean and free of any cracks or chips. Outdoor refrigerators should be clean inside and out.

Use accent lighting over the patio or deck and along walkways to highlight features of your backyard living space. For less than $50, drape string lights overhead to create a festive setting.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. 

As a homeowner, it’s far better to keep up with routine maintenance than spend big bucks down the road on repairs and replacements. Here’s a handy guide to key maintenance issues and how often they should be completed.

Monthly maintenance.

• Change the filters to your heating and air intake ducts, unless you own a systems with one large filter located at the system’s air handler. (These require changing every few months.) Clogged filters put a strain on the system, costing more in monthly utility bills.
• Clean the oven.
• Run vinegar ice cubes through the food disposal to clean and deodorize it.
• Check the clothes dryer vent to make sure it is clear of lint. With the dryer on, go outside to make sure you feel a strong flow of exhaust. If not, you may have a clog.

Quarterly maintenance.

• Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button on each one. They should operate as a system, meaning when one is tested and sounds, they all should sound.
• Test the auto reverse safety feature on the garage door opener. It should reverse when an object is placed in the door’s path. Similarly, test the door’s electric eye to see if the door reverses when the beam is interrupted by a waved arm or other object.
• Deep clean the house. Besides regular cleanings of bathrooms and floors, clean tile grout to prevent mold and mildew. Clean windows inside and out.
• Dust the blinds.

Twice per year maintenance.

• Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Change the one large filter in your heating and air system, if you have that type.
• Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator to keep it operating efficiently.

Annual maintenance.

• Drain the sediment built up at the bottom of the water heater or have a plumber do so. There are several helpful YouTube videos available to learn this procedure.
• Clean your gutters after the trees have finished dropping their leaves for the year. Consider getting gutter covers to prevent them from clogging. In some heavily wooded areas or areas with pine trees, this chore may have to be done multiple times per year.
• Just before summer, your air conditioning unit should be checked and serviced by a professional. Just before winter, your heater should be serviced.
• In the spring, hire a pest control service to eliminate creepy home invaders. This also would be a good time for a termite inspection. Maintain a pest control contract with a reputable company.
• Walk around your house, inspecting the roof and looking for areas that need touch-up paint.
  In the fall, put insulating foam or Styrofoam sleeves over outdoor faucets to protect from winter freezes.
• Winterize your pool system.
• Inspect your windows and replace aging caulk that may be pulling away, exposing gaps.
• Check your chimney to make sure it is clear and ready for those cozy nights by the fire.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. 

Homebuyers are looking for the perfect house, but which rooms are the most important? Here are the three rooms that will help sell a house.

Top Choice: the Kitchen

Easily the key room that helps sell a house, the kitchen should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. A great kitchen allows space for the family to be with each other and prepare meals together. The most important features of the kitchen are its size, an open floor plan, plenty of counter space and cabinetry, and good traffic flow.

A major kitchen remodel improves value, but you may not earn back the investment if you sell soon after the upgrades are finished. Such a makeover is best done at a time when you’re planning to stay in your home for the foreseeable future and can enjoy the benefits of the project. When you sell down the road, the typical inflation of home prices over time will help you recoup your investment.

If you are planning to sell your home soon, focus on making less ambitious changes to the kitchen, such as replacing dated appliances, faucets, and cabinet hardware and updating the light fixtures. Instead of replacing cabinets, painting or refinishing them can be an attractive but less expensive option. You can also make your kitchen appear more spacious by clearing small appliances off the counters and decluttering your decor.

Bathrooms are important, especially the master

A spacious master bath with appealing tile, counters and fixtures is a room that will help sell a house. Home shoppers also value dual sinks and roomy closets in the master bath. If you can’t afford or don’t want to undertake an expensive remodel, you can give your bathrooms a face-lift with new faucets, cabinet hardware, mirrors and updated light fixtures.

It’s important to have at least two bathrooms in a house. A half bath for guests adds value.

A Lovable Living Room

The living areas are also important to family and social life. Sufficient space to comfortably entertain and large windows to allow in lots of natural light make for a living room that will help sell a house. To make the living room even more attractive without spending a lot, create an accent wall with contrasting paint, built-in shelves or interesting artwork. If one wall has a fireplace, choose it for your accent wall. Otherwise, choose the wall buyers see first when entering the room.

If your house has a living area conducive to socializing as well as a formal living room that gets little use, convert the latter into a home office or workspace to help buyers see some of the useful possibilities for the room.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

You’ve probably heard that staging your home will help it sell faster and for a higher price. But why wait to put your best decorating foot forward until you’re ready to move. Do it for yourself, and enjoy. If you later decide to sell, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Here are a few tips to turn your kitchen from drab to a delight.

Deep clean. Wipe clean all kitchen surfaces, including the sink, appliances, tile, and cabinets. Don’t forget the baseboards, exhaust fan, and trashcan.

Eliminate clutter. Start off by evaluating what you use regularly. Clear off countertops and utilize drawers for often-used utensils and tools. If you have dishes you rarely use, store them in the attic or basement. After a year, if you find you don’t use them, sell or donate. Remove refrigerator magnets and other items stuck to the fridge.

Organize your storage. Discard out-of-date items. Donate anything you don’t want or need. Categorize what’s left. Tip: Leave open space for flexibility and a better look.

Refresh. Over time, cabinets and walls start to look dingy or outdated. A new paint color is an easy way to freshen your space. Creamy ivories, neutral greys, even yellows and greens, all work well. Consider resurfacing or painting cabinets. If that sounds like too much work, something as simple as changing cabinet hardware can make a big impact.

Accents pieces. As a final touch, add beauty and interest to your kitchen. A vase of fresh flowers or a handmade bowl filled with seasonal fruit are a nice touch. Use baskets or pretty canisters to store your newly-organized kitchen gadgets and tools. If you’re staging for yourself, it’s OK to display personal items. If you removed lots of artwork from your fridge, consider a frame or hanging system that allows you to display (and easily swap out) treasured photos or children’s artwork. Keep that designer feel by limiting the decor to items you absolutely love.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Homeowners with an eye on water conservation will be richly rewarded, saving themselves money on monthly water bills and helping their fellow citizens guard against potential water shortages. Here are six ways to tap into savings at the tap.

Low-flow faucet heads.  Install low-flow nozzles on all your faucets, particularly your showers. These faucet flow restrictors can cut the flow rate by half in some cases, saving water and money. There is also a device called  ShowerStart, which pauses the flow of water, once it is warm, until you step in and begin showering.

Full loads only.  In other words, don’t run a half empty dishwasher or wash a handful of clothes. By waiting until you have a full load,  you’ll also run your machines less frequently. If your machines are old, consider replacing them with more efficient models that use less water and electricity. Look for the Energy Star label. In the bathroom, set a timer when showering. Long hot showers may feel luxurious, but they’re water wasters.

Low-flush toilet tanks. If you live in an older home, consider replacing your toilets with low-capacity tanks that use less water per flush. As an alternative, place a brick in the tank to displace some of the capacity, saving water per flush.

Check for leaks.  Start with your toilets. Put a couple of drops of dye in the holding tank and wait about 30 minutes. If the color has seeped into the bowl, you have a leak and it’s time to install a new flush kit for the inner parts of the tank. To check for leaks elsewhere, go to the meter box  in your yard when you’re certain no water is being used. You will see three things: a digital counter showing water usage, a large needle that does revolutions around the whole face of the meter, and a small red or black spinner. Is the little spinner turning? Watch it for a minute or two. If it moves, you have a leak. Take a photo for documentation, then return in an hour to check the digital counter. If it has changed with no water usage, you will have documented proof of a leak. Time to call a plumber to track it down.

Turn off the water. After you wet your toothbrush, turn off the water while you brush. When hand-washing dishes, turn off the water between rinses. When shaving, run a bowl of shallow water and dip the razor in the water between strokes rather than holding it under flowing water. Little things like this add up.

Watering your landscape.  The best thing you can do is invest in an irrigation system and learn to use it effectively.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article's photo was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Having homeowners insurance is a necessity, but there’s no reason to pay more in premiums than you must. Here are multiple ways to save money while still staying safe.

Insurance rates are calculated by the insurable risk you pose to the company. Most of the savings listed here reduce risk. Don’t forget: The insurance amount is for the value of the home and other structures — not the land.

Buying new. Newer homes with fire-resistant materials such as fiber cement siding will lower your insurance risk. If you buy an older home, rewiring, new siding and other potential safety improvements will lower your risk profile.

Proximity to fire station and hydrants. The closer you are to the nearest fire station and hydrants, the lower your risk potential.

Protective devices. Having the following devices will help your rates: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, water leak detectors, monitored burglar alarms, internal sprinkler systems, and deadbolts.

No high-risk factors. Insurance companies view pools, trampolines and dangerous dogs as a risk. If you have a pool your rates will be higher for liability coverage and you must adhere strictly to requirements for a fence and locking gates. Trampoline accidents are common, and some insurance companies won’t cover them. Many insurance companies have a list of dog breeds that they consider too risky for liability coverage.

Raise your deductible amount. Your deductible is the portion of a loss that you cover from your own pocket before insurance kicks in. Lower premiums by accepting a higher deductible amount.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Consider your homeowners insurance as protection against catastrophe, such as a fire or major storm damage. Filing small claims will likely boost your rates.

Keep your credit score high. In some states, insurance companies are allowed to check your credit score as one factor in determining your rates. Good credit equals lower risk to the company and lower premiums to you.

Multi-line and multi-year. It is common for insurers to offer lower rates to households that buy auto and homeowners policies. Umbrella coverage may translate to even deeper discounts. Customer loyalty may also be rewarded with discounts.

Lesser-known discounts. Some companies offer better rates to non-smokers. Auto-draft payment will also shave a few dollars off a policy.

Shop and compare. It never hurts to shop and compare rates as your renewal period approaches. Be sure to shop rates for all coverages that would go into a bundled package. Compare having different policies with different companies and whether you can save enough that way, versus bundled rates with all your policies under one provider.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.