Homeownership and Maintenance Costs

Maintaining a home is a continual responsibility; but, one you can take great joy in if you love your home!

First, rid yourself of the idea that you will do something when you can get ‘the whole job’ done.  That rarely happens.  Paint a room every season; wash a couple windows every other week.  Oh….and about vinyl-clad maintenance-free windows:   They get mildew and dirt on them; however, with a little ‘Fantastic’ or similar product, they wash easily.

Streaks on your roof:  I am about to have someone give me a price on my roof.  I’ll let you know the result when it’s finished.

I read statistics created from information about cost of maintenance on homes and the result seemed to be that you have to plan on spending , annually, about 1% of the value of the house.  I think that is accurate.

Happy spring and summer cleaning!     Mariah

May 12th, 2009 – Interior Paint

I have discovered something about paint…at least, from my perspective. when I buy Very Expensive Paint,
it is thicker and IF the drywall is SMOOTH, it goes on well & looks good. However, I think that IF your drywall is not smooth, the less expensive paint goes on easier and seems to fill in the less smooth area.  I painted a lovely taupe color over white walls; and either way, I needed a second coat. The second coat was still difficult covering with the expensive paint because my walls were not smooth. Yet, the less expensive paint was more successful on the 2nd coat!
What’s your opinion?

Devon Horse Show

Devon Horse Show starts Thursday May 21st through Sunday May 31st.

Remember, Grand Prix night (BIGGG JUMPERS) is Thursday evening,

May 28th at 8 p.m.

March 2nd, 2009 -The Best Key Lime Pie You’ve Ever Had/EASY

Remember:  This blog is for all sorts of tips.  Just buy the following:  1 pre-made graham cracker crust; 3 eggs(need yolk only), real lime juice (1/2 cup needed) and 1 14-0z can Eagle brand condensed cream.  Mix up everything and pour into pie crust; bake 30 min at 325 degrees.  For topping:  mix some sugar w/sour cream and spread on top.

February 20th, 2009

BYO:  In my opinion, it would be hard to beat Catherine’s in Unionville.  It’s small with wonderful ambience and superb food.  (610-347-2227).

Horse People:  I’ve just discovered Equine Exchange on Rt. 23 in Coventryville.  In addition to nice quality consignment items, they handle blanket-washing, blade-sharpening, leather repair, etc.  Actual address is 1503 Ridge Rd.,Pottstown mailing address.  At Rt. 100, travel West on 23, about a mile or so past that wonderful little tea room that’s on the right-hand side.

Cheese Lovers:  Read about CURDS:  What a shock I had the other day.  I traveled up Rt. 401 to take Rt. 23 into Morgantown because I had to pickup my husband’s re-soled shoes (more about this in an upcoming blog) and I decided to return by way of Rt. 322, actually making a circle to return home.  I remembered, in the past,  seeing a  sign with “Cheese” scrawled across it.  I remembered an Amish dairy farm  at the end of a long lane.  Alas!  It was gone.  However, about a mile before getting into Honeybrook Boro, I saw a very pretty sign, “September Farm” (cheese).  Okay, I’ll turn on Mill Rd.  About a mile up, I turned into a farm.  There was the prettiest little cheese shop with French glass doors; clean, beautiful, could have been on the Main Line (That was the shock!)  They have a huge window where you can look in and see the cheese being made.  (Made from their own cows; 50 head of Holsteins).  They just happened to be in the process of making CURDS because a customer had ordered them.  Have you ever had curds?  I hadn’t.  Oh my gosh!  They were fresh and warm and totally divine!  If you get out Honeybrook way, the number is 610-273-3552 in case you want to order curds!

Welcome to our beautiful corner of the world!

 Come back here often for real estate updates, homeowner tips and buyer guidance.

Tip:  Mold can form easily in anyone’s basement.  A dehumidifier is part of the answer; but, the cheapest solution is to keep air moving with  two or three fans running all the time.  If you see a little mold, mix a little  household bleach and water in a spray bottle.  Spray liberally and rub with a cloth.  You may have to do this a couple times.

In addition to tips and guidance for Buyers and Sellers, I will be adding comments and opinions about restaurants (BYO’s, too!) cost-saving suggestions, train information into Center City Philadelphia, used book stores, tack shop information for horse enthusiasts, and more.