Everything Home August 2021

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Real Estate & Home Services Guide

How to take advantage of a seller’s market Page 5

4 hacks for your at-home office Page 10 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 3 | AUGUST 2021

5 tips for improving your credit score Page 18

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Real Estate & Home Services Guide A Publication of The Daily Star

102 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820 607-432-1000 | thedailystar.com

PUBLISHER Fred Scheller fscheller@thedailystar.com (607) 441-7214

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Valerie Secor vsecor@thedailystar.com (607) 441-7235

Space-saving ideas for small bedrooms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 How to take advantage of a seller’s market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5 ways to transform your home on a budget. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 What is grandmillennial style?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4 hacks for your at-home office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

How to make room for a home office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Popcorn ceilings: how to patch, paint and remove them.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 How to style your curtains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Questions to ask a contractor before you hire them.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 5 tips for improving your credit store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Space-saving ideas for small bedrooms W

hether it’s a child’s room, guest room or main bedroom, small rooms can be difficult to design.

Here are some ideas to maximize the available space.

Store things under the bed.

Buy a bed with built-in storage or simply use bins and boxes to store things underneath. If your bed is too close to the ground, use bed risers to elevate it. Alter­­ na­tively, consider investing in a loft bed to free up space on the floor for a desk, sofa or play area.

Opt for double-duty fur­ ni­­ ture. Look for floor lamps with shelves, ottomans with storage space and cabinets fronted by a full-length mir­ ror. Also, consider that a desk can serve as a nightstand, and a dresser can be used as a changing table.

Hang shelves above doors.

This often-ignored area is an ideal place for a shelf. Buy pretty baskets or bins to hold your things, and neatly display them in this out-of-the-way spot.

Use the space behind doors.

Use the backs of closet and bedroom doors to hang hooks, towel bars, over-the-door organizers or peg boards. This will make it easy to store your items.

In general, design­ing vertically will allow you to make the most of a small bedroom. Installing shelves and ca­bi­nets close to the cei­ling is particularly useful and will help you keep the space tidy.

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How to take advantage of a seller’s market Are the properties in your area selling quickly? If you plan to list your home, here are some tips to help you reap the benefits of a seller’s market.

1. Price fairly It can be tempting to set a high price in a seller’s market, but this reduces your chances of making a quick sale. You also shouldn’t list the property at too low of a rate, as there’s no guarantee a bidding war will result in you selling the home for the amount you want.

2. Stage carefully Remove furnishings that clutter the space, and paint rooms in neutral tones. You should also hide personal items like family photos, as this will help potential buyers imagine themselves living there.

3. Advertise strategically If you publicize that your home’s for sale on a Thursday, potential buyers can take advantage of the weekend to visit and, hopefully, have time to prepare an offer.

For more strategies, reach out to a local real estate agent.

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5 ways to transform your home on a budget If your home could use a facelift but you’re low on funds, you may be considering repainting.

Here are five other fantastic but affordable ways to give your living space an upgrade.

1. Update your window treatments. Pick out new curtains in a pattern you love or opt for shades or blinds that complement the style of your home.

2. Refinish your cabinets. Wood cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere can be stripped, sanded and stained or painted to completely refresh their appearance. Swap out knobs and handles to further change their look.

3. Re-caulk in the bathroom. Apply a fresh coat of caulk to the space around the tub and between the toilet and floor. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference.

4. Redo the flooring. There are budget-friendly flooring options including vinyl, carpet and laminate. Unlike wood and stone, these products are fairly easy to in­stall on your own.

5. Replace light fixtures. Look for affordable but timeless fixtures or consider investing in a statement piece for your front entrance or living room.

You can find the materials you need at the hardware, lighting and home decor stores in your area.

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What is

grandmillennial style?

G

randmillennial style, also known as granny chic, offers a new take on an old tradition. In opposition to minimalist white spaces, this eclectic style embraces patterns, ruffles and heirloom furniture but juxtaposes them with abstract art and modern accents.

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Get the look Raid your parents’ or grandparents’ basement or head to local flea markets, thrift stores and furniture shops to stock up on the following: Patterned everything. Curtains, rugs and furniture in classic prints like toile, floral and plaid are a must.

Embellished items. Look for accessories, lamps and other decor with ruffles, pleats, fringe and scalloped edges. Extravagant chandeliers and ornate mirrors are also on theme.

Traditional collections. Unearth that old collection of decorative china, antique figurines or bohemian crystal and proudly display it.

Needlepoint pillows. Without a doubt, no grandmillennial bedroom or living room would be complete without at least one of these. Bonus points if it’s inscribed with a sassy saying.

Keep in mind that the color scheme of grandmillennial style is generally monochromatic or analogous. This allows the space to be layered yet still feel cohesive.

GRANNY CHIC

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4 hacks for your at-home office Working from home can be challenging. Here are some helpful tips to make your office a productive, comfortable and functional place to work.

1. Invest in a good chair Considering the number of hours you’ll likely spend sitting at your desk per week, it’s worth taking the time to select a chair that’s a good fit. Pay attention to back, thigh and arm support. On the other hand, you may want to consider investing in a standing desk.

2. Use ergonomics to stay comfortable Whether you sit or stand while you work, keep your back and neck straight and ensure your computer screen is at eye level.

Choose a mouse and keyboard that are a good size and effortless to operate. Also, use ergonomic pads to protect your wrists. Avoid slouching or keeping your arms at odd angles.

3. Set up a second monitor An additional screen can make coding, designing, writing, researching and other tasks easier. This small upgrade can seriously en­hance your productivity and allow you to better juggle multiple tasks.

4. Personalize the space Use art, paint, wallpaper and office accessories to decorate your space in a way that’s cohesive and energizing. Consider adding touches like a fragrance you love, a quote that inspires you or a novelty vase to hold fresh flowers.

Lastly, invest in quality electrical lighting. Bright overhead illumination and a good desk lamp will help reduce eyestrain and in­crease productivity.

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How to make room for a

HOME OFFICE

H

ave you recently started working from home?

If you need a good-size office space but don’t have a spare room, here are a few options to

explore.

Basement. As long as it has adequate head­room, your finished basement (or a portion of it) can be a great place for an office. However, this isn’t the best solution if your basement has moisture issues.

Attic. Some attics can be converted into usable living space. This isn’t a small renovation, however, and you may need to install electrical outlets, solid flooring and much more to support your setup.

Garage. If you rarely use your garage to park your car, it can be made into an office. You’ll undoubtedly need to invest in a number of up­dates to make it a comfortable space to work.

Addition. This isn’t a budget-friendly option, but it could add permanent value to your home. Additions can be built above, be­hind or to the side of a house.

Outbuilding. An office space that’s completely separate from the main house may offer the ultimate distraction-free work zone. However, this can be a costly project. The funds may be better allocated if spent on renovations to the main house.

When deciding how best to make room for your home office, be sure to assess all of your needs.

Furthermore, find out if the re­novations will affect the resale value of your home.

Popcorn ceilings: how to patch, paint and remove them

A

popcorn ceiling, also known as a stip­ple, stuc­ co or acoustic ceiling, is a type of textured ceiling that has a noise-dampening effect. It was a common feature in houses 50 years ago, and many homes still have them. Here’s what you should know about renovating them.

Patch If your popcorn ceiling is stained or cra­cked, you can patch it. There are special products designed for this purpose that can be purchased in either an aerosol can or a container. These products are easy to spray or paint on.

Paint As long as the ceiling is in good shape, it can be painted. Begin by removing all dust with a soft-bristle brush. Then, apply stain-blocking ceiling primer. Once the primer is completely dry, use a thick nap roller or paint sprayer to apply the paint.

Remove Removing a popcorn ceiling can be messy, dangerous and time-consuming, but it isn’t difficult. If it’s painted, you’ll need to apply a specialized stripping product. It should be rolled or brushed on and given time to soften the ceiling material, which can then be scraped away with a trowel.

To simplify patching, painting or removing your popcorn ceiling, hire an experienced contractor to complete the job.

Warning

Before renovating a popcorn ceiling, you need to determine if it contains asbestos. If it does, make sure to hire a professional asbestos remediation company to remove it.

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How to

style

your curtains KJPARGETER | FREEPIK.COM

Are you considering updating your curtains?

If so, here’s what’s fashionable when it comes to this window treatment.

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Hang high Installing curtain rods closer to the ceiling will make the room feel larger. The extra height visually increases the vertical space occupied by the windows and creates the illusion of a higher ceiling. If possible, hang your curtains four to six inches above the windows to maximize their impact.

Go low Contemporary curtains are long and should hit the floor or even puddle onto it. However, puddling curtains are best reserved for drapes that stay open since they need to be restyled every time they’re opened or closed. Curtains that skim the floor shouldn’t hang more than 1/2 an inch above it.

Get wide Add visual width to your windows by opting to go broad with your curtains. Mount rods that extend three to six inches past the window frame on either side. Although you can go even wider, the curtain rod shouldn’t be more than one-andone-third the width of the window.

Go full Curtains look best when they’re full, so make sure you have enough fabric to adequately cover the intended area. The rule of thumb is that the combined width of the panels should be two to two-and-a-half times the width of the window.

To find curtains you love or the fabric to make them, shop at stores in your area.

Each and every time we work with clients we want them to experience the care and trust in knowing we are there through the entire process.

This isn’t just a house, this is your home.

607-353-1903

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Hartman-Duke Team: Jonathan Dokuchitz and Kathy Hartman August 2021

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SPECTACULAR LAKEFRONT family compound, B&B or investment property. 325’ Goodyear Lake frontage, over an acre of land PLUS two Adirondack lodge-style homes. This property has so much to offer, come fall in love!!! $650,000 #131165

SPACIOUS CENTER-HALL Colonial offers 4 BRs, 3 baths, eat-in kitchen, formal dining, family room, grand front foyer. Sitting on extra-large city lot that offers nice privacy from rear deck with some woods. $219,500 #130967

ING D N E PE L A S

GREAT THINGS come in small packages!!! Low maintenance ranch only 5 miles from Oneonta’s east end has been completely restored, including vinyl siding, new windows, upgraded electric, new kitchen, more. $134,500 #131259

AFFORDABLE HOME on almost one acre with nice yard, side porch, shed, garage & stream. New roof & newer windows, this 3-BR home is priced to sell. Minutes to Oneonta & Cooperstown. $129,900 #130389

STEP EASILY into the world of income properties with this spacious 2-family money maker with many new improvements, meticulously kept and maintained, this is a great option to make money in Oneonta!!! $115,000 #131624

RUN YOUR BUSINESS from home!!! 2300 sq.ft. garage/shop with overhead doors, electric openers, car lift PLUS very nice 5-BR home with 2-car garage, 2.5 acres, even a pond!!! $275,000 #130670

Questions to ask a contractor before you hire them

T

o hire the right contractor for a home renovation project, you’ll need to interview several candidates.

In addition to finding out if they’re licenced and insured, make sure you ask the following three questions.

Who will be my point of contact?

Sometimes the person you sign the contract with isn’t the person who becomes your main point of contact during the project. To avoid miscommunications that could lead to mistakes, it’s best to have one person who you relay information to.

What could cause costs to rise?

Ask your contractor if there are circumstances in which the cost of your renovation might increase. Afterall, it’s best to be prepared. You should also be wary of contractors who hook clients with a lowball price only to nail them with extra charges later on.

What type of warranty do you offer?

Warranties vary from one contractor to the next, so you’ll need to ask each one what their warranty covers.

Also, there’s a difference between a warranty for the work done and a warranty for materials, so find out which one is offered.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to ask your potential contractor how long they’ve been in business for. Hiring a local company with a longstanding reputation for excellence is a good way to ensure you end up with the best contractor for your home renovation project.

20850 State Highway 28

5 tips for improving your credit score

W

hether you’re looking for a car loan, submitting a rental application or applying for a mortgage, it’s important to have a good credit score. If your current credit score is suboptimal, here are five things you can do to rebuild it.

1. Pay your bills on time. Always pay bills in full before the due date.

If you can’t pay the total amount, at least make the minimum required payment.

2. Don’t max out your cards. It’s best to use no more than half of your available credit (for example, don’t put more than $500 on a credit card with a $1,000 limit). If you always max out your card, lenders will consider you a high-risk loan 18

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candidate. Also, never surpass your credit card limit.

3. Be a loyal customer. Don’t switch credit cards or financial institutions unnecessarily. The age of your credit history impacts your credit score.

4. Get credit checks infrequently.

If a lender or company files a request to view your credit report, which is known as a hard inquiry, it’ll impact your credit score. Conversely, checking your credit yourself, which is known as a soft inquiry, won’t affect your score.

5. Have multiple types of credit.

Using more than one type of credit (for exam­ ple, a credit card, line of credit and mort­ gage) tends to improve your credit score. Just be sure that you’re able to pay back

everything you borrow.

To get more advice about building up your credit score, reach out to a qualified financial adviser.

Call one of our real estate professionals at your local Howard Hanna office today!

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LAKE LIFE Bring the fishing poles & relax. Two lots, one w/small cabin, one set up for RV w/ waterfront. Lots of possibilities! $70,000

COUNTRY COTTAGE Completely renovated, move-in ready, one bedroom cottage w/full bath. Att’d garage, patio & covered porch. Walkable to Oxford veteran’s home.

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DOWNSIZE HERE! 2BR, 2BA is spacious with just enough yard for privacy and gardening if you like. $73,900

MOVE-IN-READY With all the updates buyers are looking for! 3BR, 2BA, plus 2car garage.

Walkable to Village offerings. $149,900

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WELCOMING RANCH Many updates have been done in this 3BR, 1.5BA home. Offers tons of storage & built-ins. $123,000

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RENOVATED RANCH! All systems have been updated! 2BD, 2BA that you can move right in. Do NOTHING but RELAX! Four season room w/great entertaining space out back. $139,000 Kattie Flanagin 607.316.9240 Cell

VILLAGE HOME 4BR/2BA w/Garage. $128,900

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you relax on 6+ acres, in this 3BR home. Over $$79K in improvements. $339,900

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Mud/Laundry room has new flooring. Level, fenced back yard. Includes shed. Paved driveway. $74,000

SOLD MOVE-IN CONDITION 3/2 w/nice Don’t wait to buy real estate. floor plan, updated electric, new roof & Call me today for all plumbing.

Black top drive, Offering 5BR, 2BA2-car on agarage. large your real estate needs! LARGE BI-LEVEL. $101,000 you can call lot. With a little finishing downstairs, Call Donna Schulz at 607-267-6330 Cell Callhome!

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