Dearborn Michigan Area Real Estate Blog

(ARA) The lilac print wallpaper in your Dearborn area home bedroom may not be your style anymore.  And if your house is for sale and on the market, that lilac print wallpaper is probably not your prospective buyer’s style either. Removing wallpaper is easier than you may think and it has a big impact on a home’s appearance. In fact, removing aging, sagging wallpaper is one of the least expensive ways to improve a home’s resale value and shorten its time on the market, according to a survey of real estate agents and appraisers.

“While many people dread removing wallpaper, it’s one of the simplest ways to give a room a fresh, updated look,” says Rust-Oleum brand director Andrea Topper. “And, with a little know-how and the right tools, it’s easier than most people think.”

Topper offers this advice for “painless” wallpaper removal in three easy steps:

• Step 1 – Score the wallpaper: Most wallpaper has a waterproof surface, so it’s necessary to score it so the wallpaper stripper can penetrate and loosen the glue underneath. Use a wallpaper scoring tool like Zinsser PaperTiger, a palm-held tool that perforates the wallpaper without damaging the wall. Move PaperTiger in a circular motion to make as many holes as possible, using light pressure. The more holes you make, the faster and easier it will be to remove the wallpaper.
• Step 2 – Apply a wallpaper stripping solution: Next, apply a wallpaper stripper like Zinsser DIF Quick Wallpaper Stripper, an environmentally friendly wallpaper stripper that removes wallpaper in just two minutes. DIF Quick loosens the glue underneath the wallpaper to make wallpaper removal quick and easy. Simply spray the ready-to-use solution on the scored paper starting at the top and working your way down, making sure the wallpaper is thoroughly wet.
• Step 3 – Remove wallpaper: Use a tool like the Paper Scraper to remove the loose wallpaper without surface damage or hard work. If any glue remains after the paper has been removed, spray the area with more stripping solution, wait a few minutes and remove the glue with the scraping tool or a sponge and rinse with clean water. Before you know it, you will have removed all the wallpaper, and your room will be ready for redecorating.

For more project ideas and product information, visit: www.zinsser.com

If you are planing to sell your Dearborn area home or if you are in the market to Buy a home or real estate in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Westland, Redford, Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Novi, Farmington, Allen Park, Taylor or any other Detroit Michigan west side suburb, Contact Steve Hatfield today.

Barbecued ribs have long been a back yard cookout favorite.

Here are a couple of ways to prepare succulent hickory smoked barbecue ribs that your whole family will enjoy.

Use 3/4 to 1 pound of pork or beef ribs per person (I prefer baby back pork ribs). Cut ribs into serving pieces – 3 to 5 ribs per piece; remove any excess fat. Place ribs in a large roasting pan or Dutch oven; add enough water to cover ribs; pour in 1 (3 1/2 oz.) bottle of liquid smoke. Cover and simmer over moderate heat 20 – 25 minutes. Drain well.

To Grill:

Grill (well drained and unbasted) ribs 3 to 4 inches from moderate coals for 20 to 30 minutes per side. Start basting with barbecue sauce (both sides). Continue to cook ribs (re-basting often) until done, about 1 hour.

Note: I prefer the indirect method of cooking on a grill. Stack your hot charcoal along two sides of the grill with the ribs in the middle. If you are using a gas grill to barbecue your ribs place your ribs on one side of the grill with the flame turned off. Turn on the flame on the other side of the grill. This will prevent your ribs from cooking to fast and possibly drying out.

NOTE: If you use the indirect method to barbecue, it is important that you keep the grill covered and well vented.

To Cook Ribs Rotisserie Style:

Lace or weave well drained ribs onto rotisserie rod, balancing ribs for even cooking and turning; secure ends with holding forks. Arrange medium hot coals at back of firebox; place drip pan under ribs. Cook ribs until done, about 1 hour, basting frequently with barbecue sauce

Steve’s Homemade Barbecue Sauce

• 1 Bottle (28 oz.) Open Pit Barbecue Sauce (original flavor)
• 1 Bottle (20 oz.) Heinz Catsup
• 1 Bottle (6 oz.) Heinz 57 Steak Sauce
• 1 Bottle (6oz.) A 1 Steak Sauce
• 1 Cup Dry Red Wine
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Lee & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke

Mix well and bring to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Refrigerate unused barbecue sauce. Makes 2 quarts. Great with ribs, chicken, or beef. Enjoy!

Try This Tip: When it’s time to put the barbecue sauce on your ribs, take the ribs off the grill and simmer them in a large pot on the stove in the hot barbecue sauce for 5 to 10 minutes. Return the ribs to the grill and continue to turn and baste until done.

It’s time to get your Dearborn Michigan area home and real estate ready for summer!

(ARA) -Spring not only ushers in a welcome relief from the cold temperatures, but a slew of winter clean-up projects, begging the question, “Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues that are just around the corner?” And the bigger question, “Is your house ready?”

Whether it’s a broken bird bath, a loose stone on a walkway, or a broken patio chair, there are some things you need to take care of before the warm weather and, more importantly, before your guests arrive.

The best way to prepare for these upcoming household fixes is to assemble a first-aid repair kit for your house. Keeping some of the most common tools together makes it easier and more efficient. Below is a list of items that are invaluable for common household repairs:

Simple tools – Why is it that you can never find a hammer, screwdriver, utility knife, tape measure and pencil when you need one? Keep duplicates of these tools in your first aid repair kit, and you won’t have to run around your house or shop looking for them. Also, consider stocking a couple of tongue depressors or craft sticks. These are great for spreading glue and can be used to hold small nails instead of hammering your thumbs.

Gorilla Glue – This product is 100 percent waterproof and perfect for fixing anything from a broken chair leg to a broken flower pot. You could even use this strong glue to fix a loose stone on a walkway. If you’ve never used polyurethane glue before, be careful because it will expand as it cures – you will only need a very small amount for an indestructible bond. Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information.

Sandpaper and a two-part, epoxy-based wood filler – For outdoor wood repair needs, this is really the way to go. All exterior door and window trim work should be checked every spring because gaps and cracks not only reduce your home’s efficiency, but can also provide an entry location for unwanted insects and rodents. Most of these repairs can easily be taken care of and will prevent damage to the integrity of the wood.

Gorilla Tape – Gorilla Tape is the toughest duct tape that you’ll ever meet. It has a strong fabric backing and three times the adhesive of other duct tapes and will even stick to impossible surfaces like brick and stucco. (It also is a quick fix for a torn grill cover or split garden hose.) Visit www.gorillatough.com for more information.

Cordless drill and variety of high quality screws – Due to expansion and contraction during the winter, screws are likely to loosen. Tighten up exposed screws on things like your deck, wood railings, etc., before they become a safety hazard.

Touch-up paint and foam applicators – Avoid having to search the garage for a can of paint by putting a small amount of paint in a disposable airtight container and adding it to your kit.  As you make your outdoor repairs you will have the paint on hand for a quick fix. Foam applicators, which you can get inexpensively from any craft and hobby store, are great for quick touch-ups, and are disposable.

With your first-aid repair kit assembled, you are ready to tackle all of your winter repair projects.

If you are planing to sell your Dearborn Michigan area home or if you are in the market to Buy a home or real estate in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Westland, Redford, Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Novi, Farmington, Allen Park, Taylor or any other Detroit Michigan west side suburb, Contact Steve Hatfield today.

Visit my web site at: www.DearbornHomes.com for in-depth information about Buying or Selling a home or Real Estate in the Dearborn area or the west side Detroit suburbs.

(ARA) Kitchens cry out for a perfect balance between beauty and practicality. Nowhere is the  marriage of form and function more important than in the room where most Dearborn Michigan families spend the majority of their at-home time together.

Ceramic tile is the natural choice for kitchens. Dearborn Michigan area Homeowners will appreciate its durability and designers admire the flexibility it gives them in creating beautiful, yet practical spaces. Now, advances in tile manufacturing, such as digital printing technology, and the endless creativity of homeowners and designers alike, are driving new trends in kitchen design.

European influence

Gone are the days when homeowners were willing to trade the spare, clean and peaceful look of an open wall for the storage convenience afforded by walls full of cabinets. “Cabinets and countertops were once the main focal point of a kitchen,” notes Patti Fasan, Tile of Spain ceramic tile consultant. “Today, open wall space is demanding more attention.” Drawing on European influences, designers are now limiting the use of upper cabinets. Instead, they devote an entire wall of the kitchen to a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, similar to a wall unit, which easily replaces the storage space lost by eliminating upper cabinets. The remaining three walls are either cabinet-free, or boast open shelving units. The open wall space above the countertop becomes a blank canvas for a design focal point. Ceramic tile is at the top of the list of preferred finish materials for these walls, often taking center stage as a stunning floor-to-ceiling backdrop to the sculptural stainless-steel range hoods currently in vogue. It’s also finding its way beyond the backsplash to the remaining kitchen walls. “The shift in aesthetic tastes aligns perfectly with another shift in buyer behavior,” says Fasan. “Consumers are increasingly demanding healthy, safe, sustainable and durable quality finishes. Ceramic tile is known for several inherently healthful characteristics. It’s fireproof, does not absorb odors, contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is low-maintenance and requires no toxic cleaners, sealers or deodorizers.” Read more…

It’s that time of year again –

Homeowners have started to receive their 2011 property tax assessments in the mail. Over the last few years many Dearborn and Dearborn Heights area homeowners have been frustrated by their assessed value increasing, while their property value has decreased because of the economic downturn. This is due to current law that allows a home’s taxable value to increase each year by either the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower.

Dearborn area homeowners have the right to appeal their assessments to the local board of review if they feel the assessment is incorrect. It is important to note that many review boards meet in March, but dates vary by each municipality, so be sure to contact your local Dearborn or Dearborn Heights assessor. Newly-enacted legislation requires the assessment notice to be mailed out at least 14 days before your local board of review meets. Below is a step-by-step guide for homeowners to utilize when preparing to appeal their property tax assessment, courtesy of the Michigan House of Representatives Caucus Services.

NOTE: Before deciding to appeal, you may find it helpful to call your local assessor to discuss your assessment and the appeal process.

For help with appealing your property assessment follow these 10 simple steps. 

Step 1 – Obtain a copy of your property tax worksheet or apprisal card

• This is available from the local assessor’s office. The worksheet lists information such as size of house, style, number of baths, etc. Ask the assessing department to fully explain how to read the document. You may also obtain worksheets for similar properties which recently sold in the area to help determine the value of your property.

Step 2 – Carefully check the worksheet for errors

• If you notice any errors, the assessor may agree to change some of the information or figures at that time. If not, you will have to make
  your case with the board of review. Your worksheet may include a “percent good” calculation which shows how much your home has depreciated. For example, a 10-year-old house may be listed as 90 percent good. Percent good is another factor to use when comparing your home to other homes. Read more…

(ARA) Saving money never goes out of style, especially when it comes to home utility bills.

With winter’s deep freeze looming in their minds, many Americans are looking for ways to curtail their Dearborn area home’s energy costs this winter.

In fact, more than 20 percent of Americans are concerned about heating and energy costs and half believe it’s already difficult to afford their utility bills, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center. They may have reason to worry; heating oil costs are expected to keep riseing the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy predicts.

Heat transfer – warm air from inside your home escaping to the outdoors – is the main culprit that drives up winter energy bills. Fortunately, a few simple home improvements – and even some decor changes – can help reduce your home’s heating costs this winter. First, identify the biggest energy leeches in your home. Are the doors drafty? Do the windows rattle in a slight breeze? Is the insulation in your home’s attic less than adequate?

Next, consider these minor home improvement projects to help reduce heat transfer and trim energy bills:

1. Windows and doors are prime points for heat to escape from your home. Before the weather turns cold, seal around doors, windows, electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures. Caulk, spray foam, weatherstripping and a free weekend are all you need to accomplish this job, which can help you realize significant energy savings and create a more comfortable environment inside your home this winter. Read more…