How To Guide

HOW-TO

GUIDE

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News l Saturday/Sunday, July 14-15, 2018

Z02

HOW TO GUIDE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • July 14-15, 2018

HOW TO banish pet odors from a home D

ogs, cats, birds, and lizards have evolved from wild animals and outdoor companions to become beloved, largely domesticated members of the family. The number of pets in homes across the country continues to grow. According to Statista, as of March 2017, 94.2 million cats and 89.7 million dogs were estimated to live in the United States as pets.

Canada’s Pet Wellness report estimates that there are approximately 7.9 million cats and 5.9 million dogs in Canada.

Over time, pet owners grow accustomed to their pets’ antics, messes and even their odors. Dealing with smells is par for the course for pet owners, and many become desensitized to certain common smells. But when company is on the way or people are thinking about selling their homes, pet odors must be addressed. Even though it will take effort, homeowners can freshen their homes and eliminate unpleasant pet-related smells.

Neutralizing pet odors takes effort, but it can make for a more pleasantsmelling home environment.

Keep pets clean.

Most pets are very good at self-grooming, but can benefit from a spa treatment once in awhile. Dogs that spend ample time outdoors or frequently get wet and dirty may need routine baths. Ask a professional groomer what he or she recommends to address potent pet odors.

Purchase an air purifier.

Keep on top of accidents and litter boxes.

Puppies and even adult dogs may have their share of accidents. Cats may avoid litter boxes if they are not cleaned frequently and then soil around the house. Be sure to clean up pet waste messes promptly. Baking soda and vinegar solutions are all-natural ways to clean up and can help remove urine odors more readily. Also, look for safe deodorizing cleaning products that can be used on carpeting, flooring and upholstery.

Air purifiers can help remove odors and allergens from the air. They’re relatively inexpensive and can be placed in rooms that pets frequent.

Wash pet blankets and beds.

Launder pet beds, cloth toys, blankets, and any other items that pets lounge on. Sweat, saliva and dander can cause these fabrics to become stinky, and, in turn, make the house smell worse.

Find ways to ventilate.

Clean frequently.

Cats and dogs can leave behind fur, dander, food messes, and more. Eliminating the debris that pets create can reduce odors.

Sweeping, vacuuming and mopping floors can help as well. Don’t forget to vacuum draperies and furniture, and consider purchasing cleaning appliances specifically designed for homes with pets.

Odors can build up inside closed nvironments and prove overpowering.

Opening windows when applicable, using exhaust fans and encouraging cross-breezes can air certain odors from the home.

HOW TO GUIDE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • July 14-15, 2018

HOW TO buy a mattress COURTESY DUNNETT APPLIANCE AND MATTRESS

H

ave you finally decided to put a new mattress at the top of your shopping list?

Congratulations – you are taking the first step towards better sleep!

Shopping for a new mattress doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or confusing experience. Our mattress buying guide tips will help you become a mattress shopping expert so you can shop smarter – and find a new mattress that’s the right match for you.

Find Your Mattress Motivation.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 93% of Americans say a comfortable mattress is important for a good night’s sleep. Your mattress is one of the most—if not the most—important piece of furniture you will buy because it will directly impact your quality of sleep and, therefore, your quality of life. Embracing this will help you feel motivated to shop for a new mattress—and shop smarter.For instance, 75% of participants in a recent study done by Serta reported having fewer relationship issues because they were feeling well rested and less likely to pick a fight after sleeping on a new mattress.

Do Your Research.

Chances are, it’s been many years since you shopped for a new mattress. Just like cell phones and computers, the features used in today’s mattresses are newer—and better— than the features used 10 years ago. Trusted mattress manufacturers and retailers offer their own mattress buying guides on their websites to help you navigate through the mattress types available today, including memory foam and hybrid mattresses, as well as mattresses that are compatible with an adjustable foundation.

Know Your Unique Comfort Preference.

When it comes to comfort, one size doesn’t fit all. Instead of letting the many mattress options available today overwhelm you, make a list of what you and your partner like and don’t like when it comes to mattress comfort.

Talk with the sales associate at your local

mattress store about your comfort preferences so he or she can direct you to the mattress models that will work best for you. You’ll find that with a little effort, the options are no longer overwhelming.

Remember that Size Matters.

A little more room to stretch can go a long way when it comes to sleep comfort. While your full size mattress may seem like a perfectly snug fit for you and your partner, upgrading your mattress size to a queen or king mattress can be a game-changer. Plus, many couples prefer a larger mattress if they have pets that find their way onto the “human bed” in the middle of the night! If you are shopping for a new mattress for your child, remember that a new mattress can stay with him or her through their teenage years. Their growing bodies also need room to stretch, so consider upgrading their mattress size to a full or queen mattress.

Shop with a Trusted Retailer Once you have done your research, identified your comfort preference, and narrowed down your options, it’s time to visit your preferred local retailer to try out different mattresses in person. If you don’t have a preferred local retailer in mind based on your past shopping experiences, you can find authorized retailers from manufacturer websites and then seek reviews from your friends, family members or online peer reviews.

You will spend 1/3 of your life in your mattress, so you owe it to yourself to spend the time and effort needed to find your perfect match. Our mattress buying guide tips will help you identify what type of mattress comfort and size is right for you. With this knowledge, you will have the confidence needed to make the right selection and sleep better for years to come.

Adapted and reprinted with permission of Serta. For more tips, visit serta.com.

Z03

Z04

HOW TO GUIDE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • July 14-15, 2018

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME 5 important considerations...

T

he internet has made buying and selling houses faster and easier, but the role of brokers in guiding people through an often confusing and potentially treacherous market place remains important. Here are five important things to think about when selling a home:

Why do you need a broker?

Jon Cota, broker/owner of NextHome Experience in Bangor and a third-generation real estate broker, can remember brokers joking about the amount of paperwork in their profession decades ago. Since then, however, regulation has only increased. By failing to properly disclose information, sellers can open themselves up to a lawsuit.

Buyers who go it alone miss out on the expert guidance an experienced broker can offer. Brokers not only show houses, they find appraisers, line up financing, and help craft deals that work for both buyers and

sellers. “We are trained in negotiation and we know how to use all the technology to make sure people get to where they need to be,” said Cota.

How important is technology?

Cota said he can remember when real estate listings were printed in a book each month. By the time those books reached buyers, many listings were out of date.

Today, listings are updated in real time and Cota said technology, including smart phone apps, can allow a broker to arrange a listing, show a house, and write an offer in the space of an afternoon – doing what once took days or weeks in a few hours. Today, 42 percent of traffic to real estate websites comes from cell phones. According to iMedia Connection, mobile ads performed 4-5 times better than online ads. Those statistics and others mean it is important to choose a broker with access to the latest technology.

BY ALAN CROWELL

What should you look for in a broker?

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you should expect professionalism and ethical treatment. A good broker should have the experience and connections to make the process of buying and selling a home easy, by facilitating each step in the process, including appraisal, inspections and the negotiation process. NextHome even offers an app that automates the process of hooking up utilities. As important as anything, however, a broker should be a good listener and take the time to understand a buyer’s wants and needs as well as their budget.

When is the best time to buy or sell real estate?

Low interest rates mean buyers can lock in mortgage rates at historically low levels, while a low inventory of homes on the market means in many areas sellers can

look forward to selling their homes within days or weeks.

Why is NextHome a great choice?

NextHome offers full-service real estate solutions that include great serviceoriented agents and technological innovations to make home buying and selling an easy and seamless process. They feature a personalized mobile web app that offers real time access to listings on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) so prospective buyers can get the information they want instantly and communicate their interest to a broker just as quickly.

For more information on NextHome Experience, visit mynexthomeexperience.com.