EARNEST MONEY EXPLAINED - what it is and how it relates to a real estate...

Big Elk Meadows - A private lake subdivision surrounded by forest

What Kind Of Grill Should I Buy?

 

As the weather heats up, more opportunities become available to homeowners who enjoy cooking and eating outdoors. Having a grill in your backyard is a perfect way to eat well and entertain guests. But how do you know which grill is right for you? Consider these factors before you purchase or upgrade your grill.

Charcoal vs. gas

Charcoal grills require charcoal or briquettes in order to cook, and they have air and cleaning vents at the bottom of the grill. These vents help control flames during use and remove residual ash after use. Gas grills come in two types, propane and natural gas. For propane grills, you’ll need to monitor gas levels and replace your tank when fuel runs out. For natural gas grills, you’ll need to install a secure gas line hookup to ensure no gas leaks while you’re cooking.

Grill location

Another thing to consider is where on your property you’d like to place your grill. If you plan on cooking outdoors regardless of weather, consider placing the grill under an overhang to shield it from the elements. If your grill will be used for parties and events, think about the layout of your backyard and deck or patio to position it in a place that won’t disturb guests.

Size and power

Depending on what you’ll be grilling, consider how large of a grilling surface area you’ll need. If it’s for personal or family use only, a smaller grill should suffice. If you’re an entertainer, a larger grill with racks for different meats or food items to cook at different temperatures may work best. Remember that a more powerful grill doesn’t always mean better—depending on the amount of food you plan to cook at a time, lower power or fuel output may provide a better and more even grilling experience. 

WHAT TO DO WITH AN UNFINISHED BASEMENT

Although currently dimly lit and a little rough on the eyes, your unfinished basement still has a lot of potentials. With just a little love and the help of the following ideas, you can spice it up in no time and get some great use out of the space. 

 Add a pop of color. 

Give your basement a whole different look without a big renovation by adding some color to space. Consider painting and sealing the floors, opening up the room by painting the rafters white or a light color, or creating a bold accent wall. 

Divide the space. 

Want to make your basement a multi-use room? Partition out the area by installing an inexpensive curtain system. This can be done either with a curtain track or a simple wire, some hooks, and curtains will suffice.

Add foam mats. 

Whether you’d like to use the basement as a home gym to get a quick workout in or a place for the kids to play and rough house, adding some foam mats into the mix is a great and easy solution. They come in various colors and can quickly be picked up and tucked away if need be. 

Use a large rug. 

As an alternative to adding mats, find a large, eye-catching rug to be used as a focal point, and furnish the area around it. 

Add lighting. 

Basements often offer very little built-in lighting and few outlets around the room. Consider stringing café lighting across space from the rafters to give a nice ambiance and glow without any difficult electrical work.

How much snow does Loveland CO Get in March?

If you want to see what 26" of snow looks like in Loveland CO.  

Don't get freaked out because after 2 1/2 days I could go anywhere.  Here is what I did during this storm.  ha

Fresh Organic Mushrooms at the Hazel Dell Mushroom Farm in Fort Collins ...

5 Things You Forgot To Clean In Your Bathroom

 Your bathroom, one of the rooms you clean most, hides areas that rarely see a scrub brush. It’s time to tackle these 5 nasty spots you probably forgot.

But we presume you or someone else regularly swishes out the toilets, wipes out the tubs and sinks, and mops your bathroom flooring. 

But you may be missing some critical areas. With the help of Kristi Mailloux, president of Molly Maid, we’ve compiled a list of 5 bathroom spots homeowners often forget to clean:

1. Showerheads

A warm white vinegar bath will get rid of mineral deposits, making your low-flow showerhead flow even lower. Let the showerhead soak for about 20 minutes, then poke a paperclip into showerhead holes still clogged. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse and repeat if necessary.

2. Toilet Bases

Mildew can grow on the caulking around the base of your toilet. Spray with white vinegar or disinfecting household cleaner, then scrub with a hard-bristled brush. Dry thoroughly.

3. Shower Curtains

Clean soap scum and mildew from plastic shower curtains by tossing them into your washer on the gentle and cold (never hot!) water cycle, with detergent and ½ cup vinegar. If mildew is present, add ½ cup of bleach instead of vinegar. Toss a couple of large towels into the machine to act as scrubbers. Hang curtains back on your shower curtain rod, spread them out, and let them drip-dry. If you turn on the bathroom fan, they’ll dry faster.

4. Drains

We don’t usually pay much attention to drains until they’re clogged. But all year your hair, toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner are building up in sink and tub drains. Remove the stopper — unscrew the shower drain — and clear away obvious gunk, like hair and soap. Soak the drain in vinegar to clear away mineral deposits. Then, pour boiling water, or a mixture of ½ cup white vinegar and ½ cup baking soda, down the drain, which will bubble away crud sticking to pipes.

5. Medicine Cabinet

Throw out prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you no longer need or want. But don’t dump them down the drain, where they become part of the watershed, or into the trash, where anyone can fetch them out. Instead, take them to a local collection site, often at police or fire stations. Or check U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take-Back Initiative’s website for dates and sites for their next collection.

Bonus tip: Just for the fun of it, launder those powder room towels you won’t let anyone use. And be sure to clean out your dryer’s lint filter when you’re finished.

by HomeLogic