Home Improvement

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Curb
appeal
Home Improvement
Everything you need
to know to get your
house ready to sell
Mix up
your spring
cleaning
routine,
page 2
Find the
perfect
color to
brighten up
your walls,
page 5
2 Thursday, April 25, 2013 Home Improvement Post Register
By Jonathan Yonk
For Home Improvement
Although the weather here
at this time of the year doesnt
always make it apparent, spring
has of cially arrived in South-
eastern Idaho.
For many, it is the season
to take advantage of the warm
temperatures and sunny skies to
air-out the house. A rainy and
overcast day can be the perfect
excuse to stay inside and fnally
tidy-up those rooms and interi-
or spaces that have been neglect-
ed over the winter. Te season of
spring cleaning is upon us!
For some, spring cleaning
involves the same process each
and every year. Rooms are vac-
uumed, sinks cleaned, garages
aired-out, and perhaps old and
unwanted items are thrown out,
given-away, or sold.
However, to really make the
most of the time you dedicate to
spring cleaning, it may be very
benefcial to break-out of the
same old routines, add a few
new methods and tools to your
cleaning, and identify over-
looked areas of the house that
need to be focused upon.
It will freshen the air in
your house, improve its qual-
ity for pets and kids, and get
everything smelling nice, Nile
Miskin, manager at Don Asletts
Cleaning Center in Idaho Falls
said.
Miskin suggests that to be
truly thorough in your spring
cleaning, it is important to hit
some ofen ignored spots.
Te main thing that people
miss are the tops of fan blades
and the tops of the refrigerator
and cupboards, said Miskin.
Its the stuf that people dont
see, that dust that has accumu-
lated all through the winter.
Miskin also suggests
de-junking areas of the house
and garage before cleaning to
ensure that it is truly efective.
Windows are another spot
that many people overlook, as
grime builds up on the inside and
outside. Miskin suggests using a
cleaner that has the capability of
removing hard water to get the
windows looking really good.
New products and methods
are now on the market to make
your spring cleaning more ef-
fcient and efective. Cleaning
foors, for example, can be a real
chore, and ofen requires a lot of
physical efort and scrubbing to
get them to truly sparkle.
However, Miskin suggests
using steam cleaners as a great
method for deep-cleaning foors,
tiles, and other hard surfaces.
Using steam cleaners will
probably speed-up things most
when cleaning hard surfaces,
said Miskin. Tey are a good
alternative to getting down on
your hands and knees to clean.
Miskin also suggests using
new microfber cloths when
cleaning to do a really thorough
job.
A lot of people arent aware
of microfber. Its a type of cloth
that holds and absorbs dust and
dirt a lot better than a normal
cloths. It works really well for
general cleaning.
Cleaning up outside the
house, in the yard and on the pa-
tio, is also ofen an essential part
of spring cleaning. Miskin sug-
gests cleaning of lawn furniture
and grills, and keeping them clean
and in good condition through-
out the season and beyond by
brushing on a water repellent
with a stif-bristled brush.
What is the most important
aspect of ensuring that your
spring cleaning is as thorough
and efective as possible?
Get quality equipment to
get the job done faster and bet-
ter, Miskin said.
Indeed, a thorough cleaning
this spring will pay-of for the
rest of the year and aferwards
you will enjoy both your interior
and exterior spaces more.
Break out of your
cleaning routine
Chani Trench
1271 East 17th St.
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 528-7258
Brenda Haan
3387 S. Holmes
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 522-6450
Mike Silver
2275 W. Broadway, Ste A
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Phone: (208) 529-3635
Kevin King
2077 E. 17th Street, Ste 200
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
Phone: (208) 524-5296
Joe Haan
3387 S. Holmes
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 522-6450
Zaren Adams
444 Ronglyn
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Phone: (208) 529-6620
Kevin H Donyes
104 S. Emerson Ave., Ste A
Shelley, ID 83274
Phone: (208) 357-0561
Justin Tawzer
291 West Main Street
Rigby, ID 83442
Phone: (208) 745-6428
Corbin S. Snedaker
2539 Channing Way, Ste 200
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 552-2509
Brent L Esplin
90 South 1st West
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: (208) 356-0772
Brian W Haney
3417 Merlin Dr.
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 542-0491
Oral Behunin
761 South Woodruff
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Phone: (208) 524-1303
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2275 West Broadway Suite A
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-529-3635
By Wayne Jones
UI Bonneville County
Extension Office
Ah yes, spring, that fckle
season that continues to tempt
us to get outside, then cruelly
sneaks away while winter puts
in its fnal licks.
Tose of us that need to get
our hands dirty in the garden
have been pouring over the
countless seed catalogs received
in the mail over the winter. We
wait, at times not very patiently,
for spring to fnally establish her
presence so we can get out and
plant.
Sometimes though, it may
be a good thing that spring
comes a bit late. All those deci-
sions to make as to what to buy
and plant can be daunting, and
it may take a bit of time to fg-
ure out exactly what to grow this
year.
For those of you that fnd
yourselves trying to fgure out
what to include in your vege-
table gardens and landscapes
this year, I ofer the following
thoughts. To begin with, it is not
easy being a plant in Idaho. Our
generally poor soils and extreme
weather fuctuations are hard on
all but the hardiest of plants. Te
USDA hardiness zone map puts
Idaho Falls at a zone 5a, but to
be safe I generally go with zone
4 plants.
Zone hardiness, while very
important, may not be the big-
gest issue plants have to deal
with to survive here. Our high
pH, temperature fuctuations,
rainfall and irrigation issues all
make for very dif cult growing
conditions.
Even if a plant is capable of
handling zone 4 or 5 conditions,
it may not be able to handle our
harsh environment. So how do
we solve the dilemma of what
plants to plant?
Fortunately there are sever-
al resources available. Probably
one of the best is information
made available by the University
of Idaho. To get a handle on what
grows well here check out the
following website: http://web.
cals.uidaho.edu/idahogardens/
fruits-vegetables-and-herbs/
We also have a list at the
ofce of vegetable and fruit va-
rieties that have been good pro-
ducers for area gardeners. Cur-
rently the Bonneville County
Extension Of ce is conducting
an Idaho Garden Variety Trial
in which we are looking at the
newer varieties that may do well
in Idaho. You can access last
years results at: http://garden-
trials.cals.uidaho.edu/
We are looking for more
participants to help out with
this project so please feel free to
go to the website or contact the
Extension Of ce and we can set
you up with seeds to plant.
Another very good source for
gardening information is the lo-
cal nurseries. We are fortunate to
have some excellent nurseries in
our area. Most of them have very
well trained people in place to
help out with the many issues we
face. Some of the big city nurser-
ies dont come close to measuring
up to our local garden shops.
If you are itching to plant,
now is a great time to plant peas,
and in a few weeks you can put
in carrots, beets, kale, radish-
es, lettuce and several other
cool-season crops.
Check out the website or
give us a call (529-1390) if you
would like suggestions for vari-
eties to grow.
www.postregister.com Home Improvement Thursday, April 25, 2013 3
What grows in Idaho?
UI ofers tips on what can survive in Idahos harsh environment
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3820 S. Yellowstone Hwy
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-523-5688
www.designgalleryidaho.com
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of the product models set forth above in the quantities set forth above. If you purchase less than the specified quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. All rebates will be issued
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(BPT) Backyard or back
patio, its time to get planting, no
matter where you live. Te num-
ber of American households en-
gaging in do-it-yourself lawn and
garden activities rose by more
than 3 million in recent years, the
National Gardening Associations
National Garden 2012 Survey
found. Tat can include you, even
if you dont have an actual yard.
Yardless gardening is a pop-
ular alternative for people short
on green space looking to fex (or
fnd) their green thumbs and the
garden gurus from Te Home
Depot are here to help you do it.
Make a container garden
Small back patio? Window
sill? Tats all the space you need
for a yardless garden. You can
enjoy a garden, no matter your
space or place, says Certifed
Nursery Consultant Nick Blass-
man. Its an easy project to take
on in a weekend and can make a
big diference in your home.
Step one: pick your plants
Edible plants like basil, orega-
no, parsley, thyme and rosemary
are great choices because theyre
heavy producers and easy to grow
in small spaces. Te Home Depots
Bonnie Organic herbs are healthy
options to have on hand when
youre chopping, dicing and us-
ing fresh herbs in the kitchen.
Tese herbs come in peat pots
made of biodegradable material
so if you plant outside, just drop
the entire pot in the dirt - theres
no plastic to throw away. Love
tomatoes (or ketchup)? Heinz
introduced Heinz tomato vari-
eties this spring, which can be
grown in a container or trained
to grow up a wire cage or teepee
of bamboo.
Step two: choose your vessel
A couple factors to consider
when youre looking for pots and
planters. First, make sure your
plant is going to have enough
room to grow and develop roots.
A good rule of thumb is to use
smaller pots for herbs and larg-
er pots for fruits and vegetables.
Next, fip the pot over - does it
have a hole in the bottom? Plant-
ers should have drainage holes
so your plant doesnt get water-
logged. For stylish options, con-
sider metal planters like Home
Depots Medley Square Copper
Planter or natural wood fnishes
like the Western Red Cedar Large
Square Planter. If you have no idea
what youre doing, well, youre not
alone. And theres a place to fnd
the experts - Te Home Depots
Garden Club.
Step three: gear up
Big tools in a small planter
equal a potentially disastrous sit-
uation. Make sure youve got the
right gardening tools for your job
a small spade, trimmers, gloves
and a watering can or hose. For
less than a dollar each, pick up
a couple Fiskars Garden Tools.
Tey feature maneuverable, short
handles to make it easy to navi-
gate smaller areas without making
a big mess.
Step four: fll er up
You want the fertilizer or pot-
ting mix thats going to nourish and
help your herbs thrive. Choose a
potting mix with ingredients like
sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite
or perlite, and aged compost prod-
ucts to help retain moisture and
control the release of water into the
plants roots, says Blassman.
Its that easy. You now have
a container garden to enjoy, no
matter the weather or season.
Try container
gardening
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Your hometown utility helps you save energy (and
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I Residential Weatherization - For homeown-
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energy audit, recommending ways to cut
heating/cooling costs.
I Commercial Energy Efficiency - For business
customers, Idaho Falls Power will evaluate
lighting, HVAC and other systems for ways to
save power and money.
I Energy Efficient Appliances - Need
a new air conditioner, refrigerator, dishwasher
or other high-energy use product? Ask your
appliance dealer about our zero interest loan
program for Energy Star appliances
I Surge Protection - For only $4 a month,
Idaho Falls Power offers meter-based surge
protectors to guard against voltage increases
that could damage computers or other sensi-
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Call Idaho Falls Power
for more useful safety
tips . . . and keep a
safe barrier between
you and electricity.
Call us for your
FREE Electrical
Safety Brochure at
612-8430
A community with its own kind of energy.
P.O. Box 50220 / Idaho Falls, ID 83405-0220
Office: 140 S. Capital / (208) 612-8430
www.ifpower.org
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www.postregister.com Home Improvement Thursday, April 25, 2013 5
By Sierra Ortega
For Home Improvement
T
ulips are starting to
bloom, birds are singing,
and the snow is desper-
ately trying to melt. Spring has
fnally come to Eastern Idaho.
A new coat of paint is just
what you need to bring some
springtime rejuvenation and to
update the look of your home.
Painting
is a relatively
cheap way
to bring new
life to a dull
room. Tere
are countless
combinations
of colors and
styles to choose
from and
sometimes that
choice can be
a little over-
whelming. But
there is no need
to panic and
spend hun-
dreds of dollars
to hire an inte-
rior decorator.
Rexburg
Ace Hardware,
the Rexburg
Sherwin Wil-
liam Store and
Mickelsons
Home Center
in Rexburg
have narrowed
the infnite
paint color pos-
sibilities down
to fve shades
you should
consider when
painting this
spring.
1. White:
Its simple, clas-
sic, and clean.
A fresh coat
of white paint is a great way to
easily clean up the look of any
room. Its also a great color
to use if you are trying to save
money. Unmixed white paint is
cheap and with the money you
save you can aford to splurge
and buy a can of really inter-
esting accent color, or a walls
worth of printed wallpaper, or
even vinyl letters or decals to
bring a truly unique look to any
room.
2. Beige: Beige tones are
consistently some of the best
selling shades at both the
Sherwin Williams and Ace
Hardware stores. It is a total-
ly neutral color and can be
mixed into warmer or cooler
tones depending on your need.
Additionally, it is easy to pair
with almost any accent and
is unlikely to clash with your
current dcor.
3. Teal: A really bright teal
can transform any room to a
tropical paradise. Tis color is
going to be the best choice for
someone who has a sense of
adventure. Te color pairs great
with neutral
grays or browns.
But, if youre
feeling extra
impulsive, pair
it with jew-
el-toned purple
or mustard
yellow accents
for a room that
really pops with
personality.
4. Emerald:
Te darling of
many design
students at
BYU-Idaho,
this jewel toned
green is a rich,
deep tone that
brings a sense
of Victorian
elegance to any
room but works
particularly well
in family rooms
or sitting areas
that have a lot
of natural light.
Be warned,
using any deep
or dark color
in a room that
receives little
natural light is
going to be a
little too gloomy
and Dicken-
sian for many
people.
5. Pastel
Anything! Lau-
ra Mumm, an industrial design
student at BYU-I and graphic
designer, raved about the versa-
tility and popularity of pastels.
When asked about her favorite
shade, she replied, without hes-
itation, seafoam green. In fact,
many of the designers agreed
that pastels are the hottest color
trend in the country right now.
Two of the biggest paint retail-
ers in the United States have
named pastel shades as their
Color of the 2013. Benjamin
Moore created a special pale
yellow called Lemon Sorbet and
Sherwin Williams has mixed
a soothing light green called
Aloe. But really, any pastel is
going to work well to bring in
light and open up small dark
spaces but without being over-
powering or blinding.
Painting every room in your
house can still end up being
massively cost-prohibitive but
there are many things you can
do to minimize your expense.
Te frst (and most obvi-
ous) is, do not repaint your
entire house. Pick one or two
rooms to makeover. Tis will
be enough to change the look
of your home without breaking
the bank.
Second, shop around. Tere
are dozens of paint stores in the
area and every one of them is
going to have a diferent deal
that may work better for you.
Tird, in the long run
you may fnd that it is more
benefcial to spend a little extra
now on the more expensive, but
longer lasting, paint. Dont just
buy the cheapest can you can
fnd. Quality is key to efective
decorating.
For those of you really
concerned about environmental
impact, do not worry. Most top
quality paint brands have an
eco-friendly alternative. Just ask
the sales representative at the
store and they will be able to
point you in the right direction.
Tese zero-VOC (volatile
organic compound) paints
minimize environmental
impact and are safer to be used
by pregnant women, young
children and individuals with
chemical sensitivities. Tey are
going to be a little more expen-
sive but ultimately worth it.
Te most important thing to
remember is to not be afraid to
ask questions. Tere are experts
out there that can and want to
help you. With a little teamwork
and a lot of motivation you can
make your home beautiful for
years to come.
Brighten your
home with
these popular
paint colors
1.
White
2.
Beige
3.
Teal
4.
Emerald
5.
Pastels
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LIMITED TIME SAVINGS EVENT
6 Thursday, April 25, 2013 Home Improvement Post Register
(BPT) Teres little as in-
viting on a hot summer day as a
lush, green lawn. To make sure
your yard is ready for summer-
time fun, invest a little time and
attention into it this spring.
As seasonal temperatures
rise across the country, were en-
tering prime lawn growing sea-
son and the perfect time to so
some basic maintenance, says
Bryan Ostlund of Grass Seed
USA.
For a natural turf lawn, Os-
tlund suggests investing a little
time and following these six
simple steps to keep your yard
looking its best:
1. Rake. Raking a lawn re-
moves dead grass, lefover win-
ter leaves and other debris, al-
lowing you to control thatch and
see bare or worn areas that need
attention. It also permits new,
young grass to grow more easily
and increases soil contact when
seeding.
2. Test your soil. Good soil is
one of the essentials of a healthy
lawn. A soil test is simple and
inexpensive (do-it-yourself kits
are available at local garden cen-
ters), and it provides valuable
information about current pH
levels. Simple amendments like
lime or sulfur can be added to
neutralize overly acidic or alka-
line soil and help grass thrive.
3. Aerate. Older or heavily
trafcked lawns can sufer from
soil compaction. A core aerator
with hollow tines will pull small
plugs of soil out of the ground,
allowing increased movement
of water, nutrients and oxygen.
Aeration can also increase the
soil contact with new seeds and
promote new growth. You can
rent an aerator or hire a profes-
sional to do the work for you.
4. Seed. Spring ofers opti-
mal conditions for establishing
new lawns or repairing thin or
bare patches in existing lawns,
and there is ample time for grass
to grow healthy and strong be-
fore summer. Turf specialists at
a garden store or local university
extension ofce can help select
the right seed for your area and
usage, pointing you toward the
seed closest to existing grass or
suggesting alternatives for prob-
lem areas. Afer seeding, water
lightly but regularly, keeping the
reseeded areas damp until the
new grass grows in. A starter
fertilizer may be used, but isnt
necessary.
5. Control weeds. Healthy
lawns essentially control weeds
by squeezing them out. Howev-
er, if crabgrass or dandelions in-
vade, herbicides may help. Con-
sult a garden specialist about
which herbicide is right for your
lawn and how to use it. Applying
a pre-emergent herbicide in the
spring before weed grass emerg-
es can reduce problems down
the line. If youve applied seed,
keep in mind that herbicides
can kill it, so use a product that
will not afect new growth. For
dandelions, digging them up is
ofen efective, but a broadleaf
herbicide may be applied.
6. Maintain the mower. Get
ready for the frst mow with a
lawn mower tune-up. Annual
service should keep it running
smoothly and should include
changing the oil, changing the
spark plug, swapping out or
cleaning the air flter and sharp-
ening the blade. Most lawns
are ready for cutting when the
grass reaches a 3-inch height,
although newly seeded or re-
cently overseeded lawns should
be mowed closer to 2 inches un-
til the grass is established. Mow
with a frequency that allows for
cutting less than one-third the
height of the grass. An easy-to-
follow rule: let grass grow no
taller than 3 inches and trim to
no shorter than 2 inches
More lawn care tips can be
found at www.weseedamerica.
com.
Investing even a little time
now to seed or repair your lawn
will pay of in the months to
come and ensure youre ready
for summer, says Ostlund.
Spring into action for a lawn that
will make your neighbors jealous
Our mission is to make a positive
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www.postregister.com Home Improvement Thursday, April 25, 2013 7
By Torrey Mortenson
For Home Improvement
Springtime can be a great in
Idaho. Warmer weather, com-
munity events, and in some
cases we get a color pallet thats
more than bland browns, yel-
lows and the white snow.
Tough, the best part can
sometimes be getting to the re-
modeling project youve been
dreaming about. Some of these
projects can be simple enough
and completed as a family with
little more contact with profes-
sionals than a run to the hard-
ware store. But when your proj-
ect becomes more than a coat of
paint, or some new bushes out
front its important to not only
know who a general contractor
is, and what they can do for you,
but also what you should look
for when you hire one.
Te frst thing to consider
when evaluating your project
and its potential need for profes-
sional help is what your project
is and what the stakes of alter-
ing your home are. With regard
to the frst point, sit down and
make sure you organize your
thoughts, and hopes for this
project. Make a list, draw up
some sketches, whatever works
for you just make sure you have
a clear understanding of what
you want and how its to be done.
If you can answer both of
those, more than likely you can
create a great fnished product
that will give your neighbors
sleepless nights flled with envy.
If that second question trips you
up, or you dont have the time
then you should consult an ex-
pert. Keep in mind that in hiring
a general contractor you are giv-
ing some person your approval
to alter your home, so be sure
to do some homework, and be
fully armed with the informa-
tion to make an educated deci-
sion about who you will hire to
help make your dream project a
reality.
So what should you look for
in a general contractor? Imag-
ine you are setting up your best
friend.
Ask how long they have
been a general contractor; make
sure you hire someone experi-
enced, said Kim Schuldt, own-
er of Schuldt and Son, and a
licensed general contractor in
Idaho Falls for over 20 years.
Call your county, and city,
building departments and give
them the names [of contractors]
youre looking at. Tey can tell
you if theyve had any problems
with them, if theyre reputable
and that they have all of their li-
censes and insurances in order.
And you ought to ask for some
references from past customers.
References and word of
mouth are the key for general
contractors survival especially
in the recent economy where the
slowdown of new homes being
built has freed up more general
contractors looking for work.
Cast a wide net in your search
for referrals and information:
local governments building de-
partments, friends or real estate
agents that you trust, or even
your local lumber yards can be
great sources for reviews of con-
tractors.
Next you have to make
sure that whoever you hire has
the insurances and licenses to
back up their title of general
contractor. The State of Ida-
ho issues a license for general
contractors operating in the
state, but thats not all thats
necessary.
The state issues its license,
but most municipalities will is-
sue their own license for work
in that city. Thats important,
and in some cases some proj-
ects will require a permit that
requires that the work be per-
formed by someone thats li-
censed, Randy Hill, owner of
R. Hill Construction said.
The insurances talked
about in these instances are li-
ability insurances to cover the
work thats been done and keep
the contractors honest.
If that general (contractor)
has been around awhile theres
a reason hes been around
awhile, and hes going to keep
his best interest [in mind].
With a general contractor you
have an added layer of protec-
tion versus just a sub[contrac-
tor]. That general is going to
minimize his exposure, and
only hire the guys he trusts to
do it right, said Schuldt.
Lastly, when you talk to a
general contractor pay atten-
tion to how they treat you,
your project, and especially
note how they communicate
with you. Do they listen to you
well and do you get a sense
youll know who, what, when,
where and how, in regard to
your job at all times? If not,
then ask them. Do they seem
to take a genuine interest in
your project? How patient are
they with you?
And be aware how they re-
act when you ask for some ref-
erences, or even some exam-
ples of homes of their former
customers that you may be
able to visit and see their work
in person. That can be a far
better example of their quali-
ty of work than some before/
after pictures on the Internet.
The contractor should be ac-
customed to these requests
and be able to produce some of
those references for you, with-
out hesitation. If they do hesi-
tate, then wrap up the meeting,
thank them for their time, and
call the next name on your list.
At the end of the day re-
member this is YOUR project,
in YOUR home. Make sure you
are the one always making the
final decision, and knowing
what youre deciding. If you
are unsure, ask, and keep an
open line of communication
with your professional, whom-
ever you choose, so you can
avoid any extra costs, or time
delays. Armed with the right
information, and questions,
you can make that next project
a reality.
Know when to call a professional and what to look for before you hire one
Submitted photos
A kitchen done by R. Hill Construction in Idaho Falls. Left: A bathroom
done by Schuldt and Son, a licensed general contractor in Idaho Falls.
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8 Thursday, April 25, 2013 Home Improvement Post Register
Were seeing a rebalancing of the
marketplace which is really encourag-
ing, he said.
It gives sellers more leverage than
theyve had in what seems to be an eter-
nal buyers market.
If youve got plans to put your house
on the market this year or youve already
listed it, there are plenty of low-cost, ef-
fective solutions to increase the desirabil-
ity of your home.
When it comes to prepping your
home for potential buyers, its important
to remember frst impressions are every-
thing, said Jef Struchen, broker for As-
sist 2 Sell Homepointe Realty Team.
Curb appeal goes a long way in im-
pressing buyers. Its important to keep
the homes exterior simple as well as tidy.
Tompson said sellers should walk
the perimeter of the house to clean up
and prune any overgrown bushes and
trees, especially those block-
ing windows.
Te transition from
winter to spring ofen re-
veals garbage, toys and dead
plants in the yard that need
removed. Maintaining the
yard also means keeping the
lawn watered, fertilized and
freshly cut.
Perception is reality,
said Tompson.
Te frst perceptions are
the front door and trim. If
your door appears weathered and in need
of repair, buyers will wonder what else
needs completed inside the home. Paint
or stain the door for an instant makeover.
Consider sweeping the porch, clear-
ing away cobwebs and hanging a wreath.
Whatever you can do as they are
spending that one to fve minutes stand-
ing in the entry way to make the home
warm and inviting, do it, advised
Struchen.
Tink intense spring cleaning when
it comes to selling your home, because
everyones idea of clean is diferent and
youre better of overdoing it than under-
doing it, he added.
Te cleanliness factor adds to the ap-
peal of the home and creates an inviting
ambiance.
Te thing that costs so little and
helps so much is clean windows, said
Tompson.
While those blinds and drapes are
down, clean them too.
Refreshing and dejunking can go a
long way in boosting the value of your
home, agreed Struchen and Tompson.
Refreshing can mean anything from
painting walls, caulking around tubs, or
shampooing/replacing carpets to rear-
ranging the color palettes in a room.
Teres an old saying in the real es-
tate business, said Struchen. Paint is
worth $20 in the can and $2,000 on the
wall.
Just remember the paint should be
a neutral color because this appeals to a
wide variety of buyers and wont distract
from the room.
And dejunking is simple. Anything
you dont need or use regularly should be
boxed up and stored out of sight. Tis not
only shows the full potential of the rooms
space, it helps buyers visualize their own
belongings in it. Organize what you do
leave on the shelves and in closets.
Tis is something most sellers are
unwilling to do, said Struchen.
While dejunking and organizing can
take a lot of time, the diference can be
huge.
On the fip side, if you have an empty
room, try to stage it with a nice balance
of room-appropriate furniture. Ofen
empty rooms create a disjointed
See APPEAL, page 9
Curb
appeal
Prune
overgrown
bushes and trees
Sweep
porch and
clear cobwebs
Paint
or stain the
front door
Clean
windows
inside and out
Keep
it simple
and tidy
Water,
and keep lawn
freshly cut
CC
i i d
P
By Chantelle Summers

For Home Improvement
S
pring brings the sunshine, green grass,
sweet scents and potential buyers in
search of a new place to call home.
Te great news for home sellers is, 2013 has
started of with a bang, said Brian Tompson,
Associate Broker for Voigt Davis Realtors.
Follow a few simple
steps to boost your
homes appeal to
potential buyers
Continued from page 8
experience with buyers.
Struchen said most sellers spend
between $1,500 and $3,000 getting
their homes ready to sell. If you con-
sider yourself the handy type, its time
to tackle that honey-do list.
Its better to complete any unfin-
ished projects than leave them to the
buyers who will see it as work theyd
rather not do.
When it comes to finishing base-
ments for the sole purpose of sell-
ing, this is not a money maker, said
Struchen. However, it can make your
home more desirable and competitive
with others in its price range.
Thompson said one room in the
house can make or break a potential
offer.
So much of our lives revolve
around the kitchen, he said.
If the kitchen fails to impress poten-
tial buyers, it doesnt matter what other
features the home has. Even if the home
includes a shop and a man cave.
Theres not much you can do size-
wise, but you can make the heart of
the home sparkle by cleaning and
decluttering countertops and appli-
ances. Now is the time to finish that
grouting project youve put off since
move-in.
Struchen and Thompson named a
few last-minute things to consider that
can hurt or help a potential sale.
Pets and pet items should be hidden
during a showing, if possible. Too many
people have allergies and that alone can
put an end to a showing.
Masking odors is often a great idea
before a showing, but most people elect
to burn candles a bad idea.
Most agents would prefer a home
seller to bake cookies or bread prior to
a showing rather than light candles to
mask a smell, said Struchen.
Preparing your home to sell doesnt
have to cost a lot.
As long as its priced appropriately
and these things are done, you have the
best odds of selling your home, said
Thompson.
www.postregister.com Home Improvement Thursday, April 25, 2013 9
ti
fe
in
Chantelle Summers/For Home Improvement
The kitchen is a gathering place in the home and can make or break a sale. This home at
3778 Terrace Hills Lane in Rigby is for sale by Jeff and Shelly Struchen. Opposite page: First
impressions are important so make the rst impression of your home count by cleaning
up around the outside. This home at 303 Stillwater Circle in Idaho Falls is for sale by Brian
Thompson at Voigt Davis Realtors. (Photos by Krysten Bullock/kbullock@postregister.com)
Appeal
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10 Thursday, April 25, 2013 Home Improvement Post Register
(BPT) When youre done
with spring cleaning, you may
assume youve eliminated any
allergy triggers that were lurk-
ing in your home. But the truth
is, if you dont clean the right
way, you might be making the
problem worse.
More than 40 million
Americans suffer from allergy
problems, and 25 million have
asthma. If your cleaning rou-
tine doesnt specifically focus
on allergen control and remov-
al, you may be only moving
dust around, sending allergens
and irritating cleaning chem-
icals into the air which can
affect allergy and asthma
symptoms. To maximize your
cleaning efforts and reduce al-
lergens, consider these simple
tips from the asthma and aller-
gy friendly Certification Pro-
gram, the healthy home initia-
tive of the nonprofit Asthma
and Allergy Foundation of
America (AAFA):
Use a certified vacuum
that has a high efficiency filter
with tight seams and seals to
prevent particles from leaking
out while you vacuum. Also,
choose a style that requires
minimal exposure during can-
ister emptying or bag changes.
Dusting improperly can
actually increase airborne dust
particles in your home. Use
moist cloths or special dry
dusters designed to trap and
lock dust from hard surfaces.
Use vacuum attachments to
remove dust from soft and up-
holstered surfaces.
Certain cleaning products
can also contribute to airborne
irritants, especially if they con-
tain harsh chemicals, strong
odors or volatile organic com-
pounds (VOCs). Choose prod-
ucts that contain none of these
irritants, but also beware of
green labels, as some of these
solutions may be made with
natural allergenic ingredients,
such as lemon, coconut or tea-
tree oils.
Rodent dander and cock-
roach particles are common
household asthma triggers.
However, some pesticides may
do more harm than good for
people with asthma and aller-
gies. If you have a pest prob-
lem, look for an exterminator
with expertise in integrated
pest management and experi-
ence treating homes of people
with asthma.
Whether you have a cat
or dog, pet dander is present
in most U.S. homes. If it is
possible, keep pets out of the
bedroom. Your cleaning rou-
tine should include frequently
washing linens in your bed-
room, where cat or dog dander
can settle.
Place certified allergen
barrier covers on your mat-
tresses and pillows. Wash your
bedding at least once a week in
130 degree or higher hot wa-
ter to kill dust mites and their
eggs.
Mold, a common allergy
trigger, can grow anywhere in
your home where moisture
is present. Look for cleaning
products that help kill and
prevent mold from returning.
Also, keep household hu-
midity below 50 percent and
fix leaky pipes and cracks
to reduce standing puddles
of moisture where mold can
prosper.
If children live in your
home, look for certified plush
toys. Dust mites, mold and
pet dander can accumulate on
plush toys over time. Certified
toys can be placed in the freez-
er for 24 hours, then rinsed
in cold water to remove dead
mites. Dry completely. Do this
monthly.
Lots of air passes
through window areas, and
airborne dust and allergens
accumulate on all types of
window treatments which
are rarely cleaned. In the
family room and throughout
the home, replace big, heavy
linen drapes with more sen-
sible window treatments such
as wood blinds or flat screens
that are easy to wipe and keep
clean.
If your home uses central
air conditioning or heat, re-
place the filter in the machine
regularly, typically every 30
to 90 days. Choose an HVAC
filter that has been certified
to effectively capture fine air-
borne particles like pollen,
dust and dander.
Keep in mind that while
consumers spend nearly $18
billion annually on asth-
ma and allergy medications,
they also spend more than
$20 billion on nonmedical
consumer products market-
ed for people with asthma
and allergies such as room
air cleaners, bedding, vac-
uums and more, according
to AAFA. While demand for
such products continues to
grow, there is little regulation
governing product claims,
the Foundation notes. AAFAs
asthma and allergy friendly
Certification Program helps
consumers evaluate and ver-
ify the allergen-reducing
effectiveness of a variety of
products, from cleaning sup-
plies, air cleaning devices and
vacuums to toys, bedding,
home improvement products,
paints, clothes washers and
more. You can learn more at
www.AAFA.org/certified.
Cleaning the
right way
to remove
allergens
Some cleaning
techniques dont
completely
remove triggers
Being wattsmart

means keeping energy efficiency in mind when you make

improvements to your home. It also means taking advantage of cash incentives
to help you pay for them. Could your kitchen use some new appliances?
Weve got incentives for that. How about new energy-eff icient windows?
Weve got incentives. Or do you need to replace an old heating and cooling
system? Yes, weve got incentives. Plus, your upgrade may be eligible for a
federal tax credit of up to $500.
To learn more and save more,
visit wattsmart.com.

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idaho falls
c e l e b r a t i o n
Saturday, April 27
10 a.m. 3 p.m.
Tautphaus Park Zoo & Hockey Shelter
Earth Day Special Events include:
Ride Your Bike to Earth Day and get a prize
Bike Rodeo, Free Secure Bike Parking
Skateboard Competition sponsored by
The Nayborhood
Kids Crafts Recycle Row
Free Raffles throughout the day
Recyclable Trash Sculpture Contest
Recycled Items Fashion Show
Sun Party with the Idaho Falls Astronomical Society
A shuttle service will be provided by TRPTA. The first 100 shuttle
riders will receive a free zoo pass and a goody bag. Check the Earth
Day website for shuttle stops and schedules.
Recycle Row - Drop off your recyclable items, including cell phones,
printer ink cartridges, used coats, used books, expired and unused
medications, and more and receive a free childrens pass to the zoo
with a paying adult. We will also be taking food donations for the Idaho
Food Bank. List of recyclables accepted is found on the Earth Day
website.
Free Skateboard Competition
sponsored by The Nayborhood at 11:00 pm.,
Free Skate at 12:00 p.m., Competition at 1:00 p.m.
Bike Rodeo (next to Funland)
Helmet raffle for participants (40 helmets to be raffled),
bring your own bike and helmet.
Free Raffles at 11:00, 12:00 and 2:00 at the Hockey Shelter.
For more information about the
event, check out the website at:
www.ifearthday.com
The Earth Day Celebration is
organized by the Idaho Falls Earth
Day Committee, Eastern Idaho
Environmental Education
Association and sponsored by a
wide range of Idaho Falls
businesses and organizations.
Additional Thanks to:
Bills Bike Shop, EITC,
Idaho Falls Astronomical Society,
Idaho Mountain Trading,
Intergalactic Bicycle Service
and Pitney-Bowes.