Its that time of year….warmer weather….longer days….and being outside! If you are like me though, you don’t appreciate the mosquitoes and flies joining you. I am not a fan of spraying my yard with chemicals to keep these pesky bbq visitors at bay and have found that certain  plants can help serve as a replacement for those synthetic insecticides, as long as you know how to use them to your advantage. Plants have unique natural abilities to emit different chemical substances w

Blizzards and snowstorms might not seem as threatening to your home as hurricanes and other strong storms. However, these winter storms can cause severe damage, such as roof damage from a buildup of snow and ice or water damage from melting snow. Keep the following tips in mind to prepare your home for these types of storms and lower the risk of serious damage. Insulate Your Pipes During blizzards and snowstorms, pipes in your home could be at risk of freezing. If there is wa

Many things we use every day in our homes, gardens, or workshops are so common that we may find it hard to believe they’re classified as hazardous waste and should as a result should be disposed of appropriately. Instead, we toss them in the garbage along with ordinary trash and food scraps, where they could… via 15 Items You Probably Didn’t Know Were Hazardous Waste — Bob Vila : Trusted Home Renovation & Repair Expert #homerenovation #facts #homerepair #energy #homecare #hom

A highlight of this month’s happenings. Veterans Day The Dept. of Veterans Affairs estimates there are around 19 million veterans in the U.S. You probably know one — so hug a vet today! America Recycles Day Are you ready to take your recycling game to the next level? Take the pledge! Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned hiker, find a trail near you and enjoy the scenic wilderness in your area. Education Support Professionals Day Show some love to your school’s front office s

Exterior Fixes • Regularly clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter guards to make the job a lot easier. • Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Use caulk to fill the holes or completely replace the wood. • Inspect your roof, or hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, re

First impressions are everything–especially in real estate. When buyers tour a home it better look its best, or buyers will quickly move on to the next. Furnishing the space helps potential buyers visualize their life within the walls. And, bonus points, staged properties sell on average 73% faster than non staged homes.To help you out, we rounded up a list of successfully staged homes that have used price-conscious or zero-cost strategies to make your listing look great with

Water is one of the greatest, most abundant, natural resources on earth and one of the most wasted in the home. If you use water excessively, there’s a good chance your water bill will create a deep hole in your pocket. Not only will conserving water save you money, but it will also help you reduce the strain on the environment that water wastage causes. Here are a few tips to conserve water for those who have made drought-prone areas, such as California, their home. Turn Off

Ways To Save Electricity During The Summer The summer can be a fun time full of adventure and bonding with friends and family. But with the hot days, many who want to spend their time inside with the family where it is cool are choosing to do so. With the long hours spent at home and the increase in usage, you may lose control of your electric bill and end up paying a lot of money you did not expect to pay. For the households who want to save money, or at least use electricit

As a child of career military father, a flag was always present at our home and I proudly display mine at my home. People show their love for America by displaying flags along streets, hanging them from porches, and proudly carrying them in the town parade. Old Glory is everywhere. But did you know there are official rules on properly displaying the U.S. flag? This guide from USAGov, based on the Federal Flag Code, can help you show respect for the flag: When: You can display

The summer heat is often the culprit behind jumps in electricity costs during the summer months, so do what you can now to conserve energy and avoid additional costs as the weather heats up. If you’re looking to cut back on your spending throughout the summer, your utility bills are great places to start when making changes to your everyday life. Here are 10 ways to save on utility bills during the summer months, adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle and avoid overspend

Its that time of year….warmer weather….longer days….and being outside! If you are like me though, you don’t appreciate the mosquitoes and flies joining you. I am not a fan of spraying my yard with chemicals to keep these pesky bbq visitors at bay and have found that certain  plants can help serve as a replacement for those synthetic insecticides, as long as you know how to use them to your advantage. Plants have unique natural abilities to emit different chemical substances w

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter. The outside of your home should draw prospective buyers in and make them want to see more. If you’re going to put your home on the market this spring, one of the first things you need to do is take a step back and turn a critical eye to the front of your home. Even if you’re not contemplating a move, a beautiful façade will make your home a joy to, well, come home to. In its 2018 Remodeling Impact Survey, 99% of me

Pesticides and chemical fertilizers may give your garden a boost at first, but in the long run they’re doing a lot of damage to the environment as well as to your little plot of land. Here are some alternative ways to green your gardening. Fertilizer Also called “soil conditioners,” natural fertilizers don’t only help your current garden grow, they also promote healthy soil for your future plant growth by making the earth more inclined to hold water and nutrients. Manure is o

It’s Earth Day, and while every day is technically a day to be kind to the planet, this is a day to show appreciation and get into new habits if needed. There are so many little things you can do to celebrate and help save the Earth, and I have some super easy ideas below! Plant something Trees not only cool things down (collectively, they can help decrease a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees) but they also clean the air and give off more oxygen, among a ton of other ben

Save The Date!! Let’s get together and show how much we care about this town and do a little clean up! #makebillericashine #cleanupgreenup Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 8:30 AM – 12 PM Spend a day cleaning up a road, neighborhood, town park or conservation land! Looking for individual, group or company volunteers to help bring springtime sparkle to our town. Volunteers can check in at the Senior Center (COA), at 25 Concord Rd starting at 8:30 am where they will be given special y

There may be snow on the ground but Spring is just around the corner! In most real estate markets the spring is the most common time to be selling a home, for multiple reasons. Supply of ready, willing, and able buyers is the highest in the spring Buyers typically get their income tax returns during the spring which can be put towards the purchase of a home More daylight meaning homes will typically show better Landscaping and curb appeal during the spring is better than the

Love and luck mark this month. Chinese New Year It’s the Year of the Pig. People born under this sign are said to be seekers of status who enjoy life and have good luck. Home Warranty Day Take time today to learn more about this special insurance coverage for the appliances and systems inside your home. Valentine’s Day Whether you go for chocolates and flowers or dinner and diamonds, love is love, no matter how you show it! Presidents’ Day Add Washington’s and Lincoln’s birth

Do you get chills just thinking about your utility bills during wintertime? If your answer to a drafty home is to simply crank up the furnace, you’ll not only pay for it, but you could also be wasting energy and depleting more natural resources in the process. Instead of making your heater work overtime, here are ways you can reduce your energy consumption and still keep your home warm and toasty this winter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heating acc

First-time homebuyers are sometimes caught off guard by overlooked expenses, which can create an uncomfortable financial pinch. Be sure you consider these one-time and ongoing expenses. 2. Home Maintenance Experts recommend setting aside 1 to 3%* of the home’s purchase price for annual maintenance. For example, you may need to buy lawn care equipment or replace the roof, furnace, or water heater. 3. Taxes And Insurance Property taxes and homeowners insurance aren’t always i

Exterior Fixes • Regularly clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter guards to make the job a lot easier. • Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Use caulk to fill the holes or completely replace the wood. • Inspect your roof, or hire a licensed professional to examine your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, re