FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET UPDATE

 February 2015

DeLena Ciamacco

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for February! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

 http://realtytimes.com/195/DeLenaCiamacco

What lies beneath your dream home? New homeowners skip sewer line inspections

A sewer line inspection is not included in the standard home inspection and is regularly waived in the purchasing process. Additionally, many buyers do not know that responsibility for the condition of the lateral sewer line leading from the street to the home lies with the homeowner, not a municipality. Buyers should reconsider including this important step before they sign a deal.

If a problem occurs, a sewer line replacement costs at least $4,500, but prices vary widely and costs increase dramatically by region, depending on depth and length of the underground pipes and if street repairs become part of the issue.

Experts at Roto-Rooter, North America's largest provider of plumbing repair and drain cleaning services, encounter this scenario far too often. Consumers, who just signed the dotted line on their dream home, soon find that they're trapped in an expensive plumbing nightmare.

"Just a couple of years after purchasing our home, we had a $15,000 sewer line disaster in our lap," says Jennifer Schappacher of Cincinnati. "The sewer line clogs began not long after we moved in, but as they became more frequent we had Roto-Rooter inspect the line with a video camera and only then did we realize the pipe had offset sections and a partial collapse that was causing sewage to back up into our house."

The Schappachers looked at only a few houses before deciding on one in a quiet shady neighborhood. It was charming with large, mature trees that shaded the entire street. But since the house was built in 1959, its concrete and clay underground sewer pipes were vulnerable to heavy root intrusion from the big trees. As those roots entered the pipe joints in search of water, they pushed the pipes apart and allowed surrounding soil to spill into the pipe, narrowing a 6 inch diameter pipe to just 1 inch in some sections.

Generally, a plumber can complete a sewer line camera inspection for $250 to $550, depending on the region. While not cheap, it's a relatively small price to pay when buying a home, especially if it helps a buyer avoid thousands of dollars in unforeseen repair bills.

To avoid unexpected and costly plumbing problems, the experts at Roto-Rooter recommend having a plumber conduct a video camera sewer line inspection, in addition to a standard home inspection, before buyers purchase a home. The process involves passing a waterproof fiber optic video camera through the pipe. The specialized cameras are equipped with bright LED lights so the inspection will reveal any cracks, breaks, offset or collapsed sections of pipe. The plumber will often provide a DVD copy of the inspection as part of the service.

"Sewer inspection camera equipment is expensive and often is only utilized by well-equipped plumbing companies, but the video inspection service itself is easy to complete and well worth the extra step," says Roto-Rooter master plumber Larry Rothman.

Root growth is the most common cause of sewer line damage and is often responsible for blockages and separated pipe sections. Outdated and eroding pipe materials are also a common culprit in sewer line deterioration. Older pipes are much more susceptible to root intrusion than new plastic pipe.

Inspections are especially important if:

* The home is 20 years or older.

* There are mature trees around the property.

* The home has been vacant for a period of time.

* The concrete surrounding the home is cracked or raised.

* There is considerable visible root growth in the yard.

Many homeowners, especially new homeowners, do not know or think about their home plumbing. For seasonal maintenance tips and general information, visit Roto-Rooter's plumbing basics section online at www.rotorooter.com/plumbing-basics.

New resource helps moms overcome dinnertime challenges

As every parent knows, the dinner hour can be fraught with friction and frustration - how can you get your picky eater to abandon his "no green foods" rule or make your chatterbox stop talking long enough to take a bite?



Relax, says mother of three, parenting expert and author of "The Big Book of Parenting Solutions," Dr. Michele Borba, who notes that all parents want to feed their kids well and enjoy the time together at the table. "Sometimes, the littlest members of the family establish patterns at mealtime that are difficult to break," Borba says. "Thankfully, there are scores of parents out there who have gone or are going through the same challenges; communities where moms can discuss and, hopefully, provide solutions to the everyday dinner time challenges from picky eaters to table manners."



Other tips for dealing with picky eaters, provided by Borba and registered dietician, Dr. Felicia Stoler include:

• Don't make it a big deal. "Research shows that picky eaters can become even pickier depending on how we respond," Borba says. "It's best to be neutral and calm and hold off on lectures. In fact, the less said about the food, the better."
• Branch out. "The best way to get the pickiest eaters to discover new foods is to send them to a friend or family member's house," Stoler says. "I am amazed at what picky kids will eat at my house and what my kids have tried at other people's homes."
• Turn your kid onto cooking shows. "One mom swore her kid was the world's pickiest eater," Borba says. "One day she caught her daughter watching a cooking show and it was the 'moment' she'd been waiting for. She bought her a small recipe box and showed her daughter how to find recipes on the internet. Each week her daughter found a recipe and encouraged her mom to make it. The best part: she ate it."
• Mix favorites with new tastes. "Children will refuse to try new foods without anything familiar on their plate," Stoler says. "Try filling their plate with their favorite foods and add a small amount of the new food to inch them toward exploring new flavors. My son loves pasta so I just make sure to mix in different vegetables each week to have him try something different. On top of that, traditional pasta sauce has two servings of veggies in every half cup so I always feel confident that he's receiving a wholesome meal."

Finally, trying a family-friendly recipe like Veggie Pizza Cupcakes that's fun to make and eat with the kids will get everyone around the table and asking for seconds.



Veggie Pizza Cupcakes



For meat-lover's cupcakes, substitute cooked ground beef for the veggies. Simply mix it in with the sauce and continue as in recipe.



Ingredients

1 package (12 oz.) refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)

1 teaspoon olive oil

1-1/2 cups assorted diced fresh vegetables (red bell pepper, zucchini, summer squash, onion)

1-1/2 cups Traditional Pasta Sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 oz.)



Directions



1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll biscuits and press each into a 3-inch round. Evenly press each biscuit in bottom and up sides of each cup in 12-cup muffin pan; chill until ready to fill.



2. Heat olive oil over medium heat in 10-inch skillet and cook vegetables, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in pasta sauce and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2 minutes or until slightly reduced.



3. Evenly spoon vegetable mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake 15 minutes. Evenly sprinkle tops with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and biscuits are golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Gently remove pizza cups from muffin pan and serve.



Preparation time: 15 Minutes



Cook time: 20 Minutes





Yield: 10 pizza cups



Nutrition Information per serving



Calories 140, Calories From Fat 45, Total Fat 5g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 460mg, Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 5g, Protein 4g, Vitamin A 6 percent, Vitamin C 25 percent, Calcium 4 percent, Iron 6 percent.

Lunchbox classics get a better-for-you update ... and that's no baloney

Yes, says Liz Weiss, registered dietitian and founder of MealMakeoverMoms.com. The key to a homerun for lunch, according to Weiss, is to throw a few curveballs into the mix.



"There's a reason kids love classics like bologna sandwiches and PB&J - they are familiar," says Weiss.- "But with just a few tweaks, parents can amp up the good nutrition and the excitement of those lunchbox basics."



Weiss, coauthor of the family cookbook, "No Whine with Dinner," offers tips for putting a nutritious spin on kids' lunchtime favorites while keeping them "trade proof":



* Beyond white or wheat. Sandwich bread options have come a long way. With pitas, naan, flatbreads, tortillas and more, any sandwich can have a global flair. Choose whole grain options made with ingredients like 100 percent whole wheat and rolled oats. The reason: Whole grains provide more fiber as well as nutrients like B vitamins and magnesium, important for strong bones.



* The deli difference: Not all lunchmeat is created equal. Look for natural and organic brands like Applegate made with a short, "clean" list of ingredients and no antibiotics or artificial colors, flavors or additives. Applegate makes a full line of deli meats, including a new bologna with less fat and sodium than traditional brands.



* Nutty for butters: Up the ante and the variety on the classic PB&J sandwich by replacing the peanut butter with other butters such as almond, sunflower or cashew. For a fun twist, spread your child's favorite nut butter and jelly on lavash bread, roll up, and then slice into "sushi" rolls.



* Fruit inside, not on the side: Consider incorporating fruit into a sandwich. Who says peanut butter sandwiches have to have jelly? Why not add thinly sliced bananas, strawberries or even kiwi fruit? Making a PB&J into a PB&F cuts the added sugar and boosts the flavor and nutrients. Ham & cheese sammies also pair nicely with fruit, especially sliced, crisp apples.



* Take the chip off the shoulder: Let kids feel like mom caved on the chips by making a savory dip with yogurt or hummus and adding whole wheat pita chips and some veggies on the side. It's like party food for lunch. For more tips and recipes, visit Applegate at www.applegate.com.



"With subtle changes and some playful surprises, kids can feel like they are in their food comfort zone and parents can feel good about giving their children something healthier," says Weiss.

How to decorate a small space

Living in a small space can be quite a challenge! If you're an artist like me who is constantly creating something, the stuff that has accumulated can make you feel quite claustrophobic. Over the course of a year I've finally learned how to manage my space and all my stuff!



The first thing to do is to let go of unnecessary items. If there is something in storage that you haven't used in six months to a year, you probably won't use it again. Also, a good place to check is your closet. Go through each piece of clothing and if you haven't worn it in the past year, it's time to get rid of it. The best thing to do is to donate the goods to your local charity. There are plenty of unfortunate people out there who would treasure what you consider trash!



Now it's time to tackle the stuff that you do have. When living in a small space, it's all about storage. Consider multi-function furniture such as chests and ottomans that are useful for storage of blankets and clothes and can be used as tables or seats. A futon can serve as a couch during the day and a bed at night. With the things that you do have, it's best to try and store as much as possible as to make the room appear uncluttered. Less is definitely more in the case of small space living.



On the same note, bigger is also better. Small furniture does not make the room appear bigger. Rather, larger, bolder pieces of furniture draw the eye to them creating the illusion of a bigger room.



Create a wall of shelving to put books, magazines, and knick knacks. Grouping most of your belongings in one place rather than scattered all around the room frees up space to move around. Place baskets on the shelves for stray items and papers. Baskets can also be used to hold magazines and placed next to the couch or a chair.



Light is important in a small room. Try hanging a big mirror opposite the window(s) to reflect light into the room. Also, try to keep the fabrics used in the room a light color. In my studio I use a beige colored slipcover over my futon which I then cover with different colored pillows. Remember that dark colors absorb light and light colors reflect light.



You can divide space in a room by using screens or bookcases. Screens or bookshelves can be inexpensively made by purchasing wood at your local hardware or home store. They can be covered with fabric or painted to add a personal touch. Area rugs are also a good way to create division in a room.



With a little creativity you can make living in a small space as comfortable as living in a castle!



by: Maria Palma



http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_3790.shtml

JANUARY 2015 MARKET UPDATE

 January 2015

DeLena Ciamacco

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for December! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

 http://realtytimes.com/194/DeLenaCiamacco

How to decorate festively in a condo

(NC) Living in a condominium, townhome, or apartment shouldn't mean that you have to forgo festive holiday decorating. Some of this year's hottest décor trends come in very small packages - and with a little guidance you can create your very own Christmas in Condoland. Karen Sortino, a home organization specialist at Lowe's Home Improvement encourages condo dwellers to repurpose as much of their existing home décor as possible. This includes making use of your current colour scheme to achieve a festive impact.

"Holiday décor is no longer limited to the traditional green and red, many decorations are available in a range of colours that will match or compliment your existing colour pallet, including neutrals, metallics, and bolder tones." Sortino also has the following tips from decorating small spaces:

• Brighten hanging pictures by swapping the current image with ones that capture a special holiday moment.

• Attach evergreen to the top of the frame as an accent.

• Replace existing accent pillows, throw blankets, bathroom, kitchen and dining linens with ones that are holiday themed.

• Break out festive dishware and keep it on display throughout the season.

• Hang wreaths and garlands on walls, window wells and frames.

• Monogrammed hooks can be installed temporarily to hang stockings or wreaths to your walls and mantles, and crystals or ornaments can be dangled from ceilings using ribbon or clear fishing wire.

Many people also insist that a Christmas tree is essential to fostering holiday spirit and to suit varying needs, there are many options available such as miniature trees (natural or artificial), table top trees, or half trees that sit flush against your wall. There are even peel and stick Christmas tree wall decals.

For those who have space to spare, Sortino points out that Lowe's offers a beautiful 7 foot pre-lit Aspen fir pencil tree from GE that measures only 35 inch diameter. If you have a balcony or solarium, consider putting a tree outside and using outdoor lights. This will free up some living space and will look beautiful when dusted with a light coating of snow.

More holiday decorating ideas can be found at www.lowes.ca/holiday.