Revive your bathroom quickly, easily and affordably

Remodeling projects have increased in popularity over the past few years as homeowners have decided to improve on what they have, rather than take a risk in the real estate market. Whether you're hoping to sell your home or create a more enjoyable living space, tackle home improvement projects that make a big impact and add value.



One of the top return-on-investment remodeling projects is updating a bathroom. Bathroom updates even outweigh kitchen projects in terms of getting back what you spend, according to CNN Money. And, if you take a cost-conscious approach and do the project yourself, your investment return will be even better. Renting tools is a key way you can cut costs and bring new life into your bathroom.

There are plenty of remodeling tasks that are easily accomplished by renting tools, versus the cost of buying expensive tools or hiring someone else to do the work. Visit www.rentalhq.com to find an American Rental Association member rental store in your area.

Bring new life to your bath with these tips:

• Replace old tile. Outdated tile is a common problem that makes bathrooms look old. Replacing it with fresh new tile that is in style will instantly give the room a modern look. Tiling is a DIY project that anyone can tackle, with the right tools. Rent the necessary items like a tile stripper, a tile saw and a mortar mixer to keep your project costs down.

Refresh the ceiling. Ceilings can become dingy over time, and you might not suspect them as the culprit that's making your room feel dull. You'll notice a dramatic change if you liven it up with fresh new texture and paint. Texture sprayers are an unusual tool for most DIY warriors to own, but you can easily rent one to make the job quick and inexpensive.

• Add personality with paint. Another simple fix that can be done is adding a new paint color. It's an easy, quick, and cheap project and can totally change the look and feel of the room. Opt for one of your favorite colors or scour interior design websites and magazines to find a trendy color that gets your attention.
• Change hardware. Some faucets and cabinet hardware clearly show their decade of origin. Switching out old hardware is relatively simple and a great way to make a dramatic change in the look of your room.

These projects set the stage for creating a new feel for your bathroom. Make the revived space a reality by choosing a decorating theme and accessories that complement it. Items like window treatments, throw rugs, and wall art make the room feel more complete and stylish. To get your project started, visit www.rentalhq.com.

How to avoid a big tax bill or fine-tune your refund

Remember the IRS Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, your employer asked you to complete on your first day? "The number of personal allowances you designate on Form W-4 determines the amount of federal income tax withheld from each paycheck," explains TaxACT spokesperson Jessi Dolmage. "The total amount withheld for the year is credited against your income tax liability."



You can modify your withholding at any time of year by submitting a new Form W-4 to your employer. In order to minimize taxes owed at the time of filing, set your allowances to zero on your W-4. To increase take-home pay but potentially owe more money at tax time, increase your allowances.



Each of the following should be counted as one allowance:



* Yourself (if no one can claim you as a dependent on a tax return)



* Each dependent



* You claim the child tax or child and dependent care credits on your tax return



* Your tax return filing status is Head of Household



If you have income from multiple jobs or your spouse works, withholding is usually the most accurate when counting all allowances on the W-4 for the highest paying job. Then claim zero allowances on W-4s for all other jobs.



Fortunately, there are free and easy solutions to help you calculate the appropriate withholding. The IRS offers Publication 505 and a withholding calculator at www.irs.gov.



TaxACT also offers a free withholding calculator. "After registering for TaxACT Free Federal Edition, click on the 'Next Year' tab to answer simple questions about your allowances," says Dolmage. "TaxACT will also complete a new Form W-4 that you can print and give to your employer."



Self-employed individuals should calculate net income and estimated taxes owed each quarter. Submit your quarterly estimated taxes along with Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.



To adjust withholding for unemployment or social security payments, give Form W-4V to the payer. Submit Form W-4P to payers of pension, annuity and other deferred compensation.



In addition to reviewing your withholding when you get a new job, it's important to review your withholding whenever experiencing a major life change, such as:



* Marriage or divorce



* Birth or adoption



* Increase or decrease in income e.g., you get a part-time weekend job or spouse becomes stay-at-home parent



* Buy a house



* Retirement



* Change in interest or dividend income



* Change in itemized deductions



If you live in an income-taxing state and want to adjust your state withholding, you'll need to complete the appropriate withholding form for your state.



For more information about withholding and Form W-4, visit www.irs.gov. Learn more about TaxACT's free federal solution at www.taxact.com.

The 24 hour challenge: Tackle your home to-do list

Following are a few projects that you can quickly tackle - with the help of Krylon ColorMaster spray paint - to help cross off some of your to-do list DIY projects.



-DIY Mason jar herb garden



We all have mismatched jars cluttering our cupboards or attics.- Fortunately, Mason jars are the ideal size to create anything from a flower vase, an herb garden or desktop organizer, and the raised outer design adds a touch of whimsy and nostalgia. With just a bit of spray paint, your clutter can be transformed into a clever creation.



After thoroughly cleaning the jars, simply spray several light coats onto the jars using your favorite shades of Krylon ColorMaster spray paint. The unique formula dries in just 10 minutes and is available in nearly 100 brilliant colors and finishes to meet all your color and durability needs. Once dry, you now have a beautiful new vessel to hold anything from plants to pencils.



Terracotta potted plant house numbers



Why settle for "ho hum" house numbers? Instead convert ceramic or terra cotta pots into an eye-catching address marker with creative curb appeal.



To start, be sure that each pot has a clean and smooth surface.- Next, apply primer to the surface and allow to dry, using a white primer for light colors and a gray primer for dark colors. Next, paint each pot in a different color of spray paint and let dry. Finally, place a stencil for each house number on the center of each pot and spray with a light coat of paint. Arrange your pots in the proper order, fill with flowers and voila … you now have an original and welcoming way to announce your address.



Colorful hand-built and stenciled headboard



Does your headboard need help? Luckily, paint can take any piece of furniture from blah to beautiful. So instead of replacing your hated headboard, rejuvenate it.



Start by sanding and cleaning your current headboard to ensure you have a solid surface. Next apply primer. Once dry, spray the headboard in your favorite color of spray paint. And don't limit yourself to just one color! You can use painter's tape to cover different areas to create a multi-color surface - or add embellishments, such as stencils.- The opportunities are endless.



Want more product ideas? See how Krylon, the nation's leader in spray paint, with the help of licensed contractor and host of DIY Network's "I Hate My Bath," Jeff Devlin, attempted the seemingly impossible: complete 24 projects in 24 hours using Krylon's ColorMaster spray paint. To see each project from start to completion, visit http://colormaster24in24.krylon.com/.



With a bit of creativity and a few hours, you can spray your way through your DIY to-do list. For more information on Krylon products or spray paint projects, visit krylon.com.

JANUARY 2017 MARKET UPDATE

January 2017

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 January! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

http://realtytimes.com/218/DeLenaCiamacco

Baking basics are a recipe for holiday success

Perhaps you're thinking of trying your hand at some family recipes you've never made before, or want to experiment with favorites from other holiday traditions. Whatever dish you make this holiday season, these baking basics help ensure success:



Stock the staples



A variety of delectable ingredients is one of the many things to love about holiday baking, but some staples show up in many recipes. Plain white flour is the foundation of many holiday baked goods, so be sure to keep plenty on hand. Baking soda and baking powder are also frequent necessities, as are eggs and sugar (white, powdered and brown).



While peppermint may be apropos for Christmas cookies and candies, and cinnamon and cloves impart ethnic flare to Kwanzaa recipes, vanilla is one flavor that appears in nearly every tradition. This year, add Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract to your pantry. Your holiday recipes will benefit from the complex and superior vanilla flavor provided by the Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract as it enhances and deepens the other ingredients in your baking.



When buying ingredients it is important to remember that quality counts. Higher quality ingredients may be slightly higher in price, but you'll likely need less of them. Keep these staples on hand in your pantry, and you'll be ready to tackle any holiday recipe, whether tried-and-true or new and daring.



Prep for performance



Pre-cooking preparation will help ensure top kitchen performance. Before you dive into a new recipe, sit down at the kitchen table and read it - beginning to end - twice. Make two lists of ingredients; one for items you already have in your well-stocked pantry, and a second for items you'll need to buy. Check to be sure you have the necessary bakeware. Nothing's worse than having all your ingredients assembled only to realize you loaned your springform pan to your sister last year and never got it back.



Once you have all the ingredients and utensils you need, line them up and get started. Prep pans per the recipe directions, such as greasing cake pans or covering cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to the required temperature. Since this can take 10 minutes or more, depending on the age of your oven, it's a good idea to start the oven before you begin mixing ingredients. Never attempt to bake in an oven that hasn't been preheated.



Measure dry ingredients first and set them aside, then measure any "wet" ingredients such as oil, shortening, eggs or vanilla extract. Sifting dry ingredients improves the overall texture of baked goods and gets rid of any lumps. Pre-measuring helps ensure a smooth, uninterrupted process when it's time to begin mixing ingredients together. Be sure to add ingredients according to the recipe, rather than dumping everything into the bowl at once.



Cool for conclusion



One of the most common - and worst - baking mistakes is impatience. Most baked goods require a cooling period before they can be safely removed from the baking pan, tray or sheet. Some recipes may specify the time needed to allow your cookies or cake to cool, while others might simply advise you to wait until the item is cool to the touch. Rushing removal can result in breaking, crumbling, splitting and sticking - the kind of disasters no amount of icing can cover. After removing your holiday goodies from the oven, set them on a rack to cool and go do something else. You'll be happy you were patient when that fully cooled item slides easily out of the pan.



Baking is an exact science - more so than savory cooking that allows room for improvisation. By following the basics, you can be assured of baking success.



Chewy Macadamia Nut Cookies



Ingredients:



3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

2 eggs

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped macadamia nuts



Directions:

Cream the butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on a medium speed until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar and cinnamon and mix well. Stir in the macadamia nuts. Chill for two hours.



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an insulated cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.



Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.



Makes three dozen



When preparing bakery items such as cookies, here's a tip to enhance the flavor intensity of your product: cream the vanilla into the butter or shortening and sugar first. This step encapsulates the vanilla and helps prevent flavor loss in low mass/low moisture/high heat cookies.





Includes recipe.

​Tips to make your next DIY home improvement as green as possible

(BPT) - If you're thinking about making your next DIY home improvement project "green," but aren't sure how to achieve a balance of eco-friendly and affordability, there's good news. It's now easier than ever, especially when you do the work yourself with rented equipment and choose salvaged building materials for your project.



As you plan your next home improvement, here are some tips to help you ensure it's as green and cost-effective as possible:



* Rent rather than buy. While you probably have a respectable stock of basic DIY tools, some projects may call for equipment you don't have. Rather than buy new, try renting the tools you need. Renting is cheaper than buying new tools, especially if it's a specialized item you may not use again for a while, if at all. You'll also avoid the hassle of having to store larger tools between projects.



Renting is also green. When you get a tool from a rental company, you're basically sharing with other DIYers in your area, and that means cutting down on the energy use, materials consumption and pollution associated with producing, delivering and selling new tools.



* Seek salvaged materials. When you decide on a home improvement project, one of the first things you consider is what material you'll need. Before you hurry down to the home improvement store or lumber yard, however, consider if you can do your project with reclaimed materials.



Building a patio? Recycled bricks or pavers will do the job just as well as new, they cost less and they impart unique character that you just can't get from new materials. Installing a new wood floor in your family room? Wood flooring reclaimed from an old warehouse or barn not only reduces the amount of construction materials going into landfills, but it can give your floor an authentically rustic and historic flair. A simple online search can help you find suppliers of salvaged building materials in your area.



* Reuse from your own home. You don't always have to buy reclaimed materials from outside sources. Often, you have items in your own home that could be used in your DIY projects. The front walk might need to be redone with level pavers, but the old ones could work great for a backyard fire pit. The lumber from that fence you took down in spring could be turned into decorative seating for your deck this fall. The pedestal sink left over from your bathroom remodel could make a great ornamental birdbath for the garden.



Look for opportunities to reuse items you already have on hand - in creative new ways. You'll reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, save money on waste removal fees, and spare the expense of buying new building materials. And don't forget - you'll have extra storage room since you're renting tools, rather than keeping them lying around.



* Keep recycling in mind. Sometimes construction leftovers just can't be reused, but that doesn't necessarily mean they can't be recycled. The rusted tin ceiling you tore out of your 1920s home may never be useful again, but it can be recycled. As you're working on your DIY project, look for opportunities to recycle what you can't use. And if you do have to buy new materials, choose ones that could potentially be recycled some day in the future.

Smart, stylish renovations for any age

(BPT) - Most Americans over 50 want to stay in their home as they age, but few are making the renovations they need to ensure easy and comfortable living for years to come.



In fact, 80 percent of people older than 50 say they would prefer to remain in their home indefinitely, according to an AARP survey. The Hartford and MIT Age Labs found that while 96 percent of baby boomers are aware of the changes they could make to their current home to make it more comfortable as they grow older, only 26 percent have made such modifications.



Consider some of the following functional, yet beautiful, touches that help make a home safer and more comfortable for residents of all ages.



* Hardwood floors



Replacing carpet with hardwood floors can help accommodate difficulties ranging from respiratory problems to decreased mobility. Unlike carpet, hardwood flooring doesn't trap dust, pollen or other particles that cause problems for those with allergies and respiratory issues. Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment can glide more easily over a hard surface, and hardwood floors require far less maintenance. Homeowners can choose from a variety of hardwood flooring options that meet their needs and fit their budget at retailers such as Lumber Liquidators, North America's largest specialty hardwood flooring retailer.



* New furniture



Changing out furniture can make a huge difference in the comfort and style of a home. Enhance maneuverability by allowing ample room between furnishings, and by picking accessible pieces such as counter-height dining tables and chairs. Likewise, it's easier to sit in and stand from firmer sofas and chairs than deeper, softer options.



* Kitchen updates



Kitchen shelves that pull out make utensils, pots and pans, and ingredients much more accessible, and do not require a kitchen remodel. A wide range of products and kits enable homeowners to easily install sliding shelves themselves, or they can hire a contractor to do the job. Also, consider swapping out knobs for handles on cabinets and drawers to make them more accessible and easier to use.



* More lighting



Make sure all areas of your property - inside and outside - are well lit. Pendant lamps, inset ceiling lights and track lighting help illuminate a room from above, preventing glare that can cause temporary blindness. Opt for switches to turn lights on and off, and locate them at the entrances of each room. If a home's wiring isn't set up this way, the homeowner may need to contact an electrician.



As we age, we want to remain as independent as possible, which includes being able to stay in our own home for as long as possible. With a few functional changes, homeowners can create a beautiful space now that can enable them to live more comfortably later.