Brian Ripp ~ Your Bay Area & Fremont Real Estate & Financial Agent

Choosing the right lighting fixtures can enhance the beauty of your home, but there are other ways to brighten rooms and make the most of interior light.    For example:

• Glossy surfaces tend to reflect light, while matte surfaces absorb light.  Replace dark furniture and carpeting with lighter versions that will reflect more light.  For a less expensive solution, opt for pale slipcovers and area rugs.  Selecting white or neutral shades of paint in a glossy finish for your walls and ceilings will also make your rooms brighter
• Adding mirrors to your home décor also adds light, especially if you hang them directly across from windows.
• Keeping your windows sparkling clean will allow more sunlight into your home and help to open a dark room.  You should also remove from windowsills any knickknacks that block your view and replace heavy draperies with sheers to take advantage of natural light.
• If your home still seems dark, you may want to consider adding more windows or installing a skylight.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com  serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp

Plumbing problems like a clogged drain or smelly garbage disposal can be inconvenient, but are fairly simple to correct on your own.  Other problems require you to hire a professional and can be quite costly.  To avoid plumbing problems, both small and extensive, keep the following maintenance and preventative suggestions in mind:

In the kitchen:

·         Never pour grease down the drain. Wipe congealed grease from pans with a paper towel before rinsing in the sink.

·         Do not put such foods in your garbage disposal as coffee grounds, celery, corn husks, pumpkin or squash, banana peels, raw meat, bones, rice or pasta.

·         Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils regularly to help it cool more efficiently.

In the bathroom:

·         Put strainers in your tubs and showers to trap hair and keep drains flowing smoothly; be sure to clean them regularly.

·         Do not attempt to flush facial tissues, sanitary products or diapers.  Anything other than toilet paper should be thrown away in the trash, not the toilet.

In the garage:

·         Check your water meter when no water is being used, then check it again several hours later. If you notice a significant change in the reading, you may have an undetected water leak.

·         Annually check the hoses on your washing machine for signs of creacking or weak sots.  Replace if needed.

Brian Ripp, CRS, GRI, Broker – your Bay Area Realtor

www.BrianRipp.com   Serving Fremont, Newark, Union City & surrounding communities. Real Estate & Property Management.

Real Estate Market Weekly Update Webcast: http://realtytimes.com/REUv/BrianRipp