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Enjoy Florida’s Largest Home Show August 27, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

It’s bFlorida's Largest Home Show in Tampaack!  Florida’s Largest Home Show is back in town and opening its exhibition at Tampa’s Convention Center starting on September 3rd.  Running until the 6th, it’s the perfect opportunity indulge and get your home improvement fix.  From building to remodeling, and decorating to landscaping, the show has it all for your Tampa home!  Local, national, and international vendors will all be on hand showcasing the latest in products, gadgets, and services.  Need advice?  Ask one of the many experts who will be on hand.  Need ideas?  Stroll through the showcase display to decide what you just have to have in your Tampa home.  Adult admission is $8, seniors $7, children under 12 are free.

Show dates & hours: Friday, Sept 3 from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Saturday, Sept 4 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Sunday, Sept 5 11:00 am – 6:00 pm;  Monday, Sept 6 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Unable to visit on these dates?  No problem.  You can catch it at the Florida State Fairgrounds November 5-7!

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Creating An Emergency Kit August 9, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hurricane season is upon us, and the storms are starting to appear.  As Florida residents, it’s something we all need to be prepared for.  Of course, we all also hope that they won’t be needed.  In this case, better to be safe than sorry.  If you haven’t already prepared an emergency kit for this year’s storm season, here are some helpful tips.

THE PREP WORK:

Paper, paper everywhere. Should your home face the treat of flooding or damage, it’s important to know where to find your important documents quickly.  The deed to your home, your family’s medical records, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, and insurance documents may all be needed in case of an emergency.  Keeping all these documents together in a protective portable case will make transporting the items easy if your family is forced to evacuate.  If your home is damaged, a protective case will help to ensure the documents inside aren’t unusable.  Keeping a copy of these documents off-site in a safe place is also a great idea, and will help with your peace of mind.

Get personal. Every household is unique, and so are the needs of the people that inhabit it.  While government aid agencies offer great guidelines for creating a kit, it’s important to also include items that they may not have thought of.

Safety first. Not only is it important that your family members are safe, but consider the safety of your home as well.  Identify where the main electrical, gas, and water shutoff valves are in or around your home, and have the correct wrench needed on standby.  Should a storm strike, you’ll be ready to both prepare your home and evacuate quickly.

CREATING YOUR KIT:

The Basics. Here’s a quick review of what every basic disaster kit should include, whether evacuating or staying put.

Water: One gallon per day for each person is recommended for drinking and sanitary needs.  In hot climates, doubling that number is suggested.  Also, don’t forget the needs of your pets.

Food: Experts suggest that there be a 3-day supply of food, non-perishables.  Include the essentials like protein, fruit, and vegetables.  Throwing in some dry goods that don’t need to be cooked (granola bars, trail mix) is also recommended.  Pack things you like – the potential of not having access to grocery stores or restaurants is bad enough, so don’t torture yourself with inedible foods. The most important thing? Don’t forget the can opener!

Flashlights and extra batteries: In a world without electricity, things can be tough.  Make sure you’ve got flashlights available for all family members, along with an extra.  Keep batteries on hand for the flashlights and any other devices you’ll have a need to use.

First-aid supplies: Keep the basics on hand in order to be prepared for minor injuries.  Band-aids, bandages and dressings, cleansers, and antibiotics should all be part of your kit.  Also consider adding items like scissors and tweezers.  Pain relievers are a must, and analgesics like Tums and Pepto-Bismol are also a good idea.  Always make sure to be prepared with prescriptions medications that may be required as well.

Sanitation & hygiene items: Hand wipes and moist towelettes, toilet paper, paper towels, and garbage bags are all necessities.  Also, pack toiletries you’ll need such as soap, shampoos, toothbrushes & toothpaste, deodorant, and other must-haves.

Radio or TV: Keep a portable radio or television on hand that doesn’t require electricity.  Whether it’s crank operated or runs on batteries, it’s an essential to remain connected and receive critical information when the power goes out. Good emergency radios are available for purchase online from the Red Cross

Plastic sheeting, duct tape, and dust masks: It’s always a good idea to have these items on hand just in case your need to seal your home after damage, or protect your family members from airborne contaminants after a storm.

Extra items: A favorite toy or other comforting items for the kids should be considered as well.  Cash should be available in your kit – credit and debit cards won’t do much good in a storm damaged area without electricity.  Also, remember that along with Florida summers come the mosquitos – don’t forget your repellent!

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St. Petersburg Coast: Oil Spill Update June 21, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

What a tragic time for the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill has started affecting all of us in this nation. As Louisiana & the Florida Panhandle start seeing the sad visuals of what has now become a reality, we wonder how this will affect our Pinellas County beaches. Smith & Associates Real Estate is not the expert in this part of the equation, but often we do have waterfront home owners and buyers who want to know how this disaster affects them in Tampa Bay. We did a lot of research, and we do hope you all do the same when it comes to this subject. The oil spill currently is impacting the Louisiana coastline and a few Florida beaches in the Panhandle, as identified in the map areas.

All of Florida’s beaches remain open. At this time, there are no beach closures and Florida’s state waters remain open to recreational fishing. Florida’s 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports (including cruise ships), remain open for business. Now just because things seem “fine” today on the Tampa Bay beaches, does not mean the area will not see any effects. Only time will tell, but as for today, “our beaches are beautiful, and the water is blue”, according to Sheila Cole of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. The water current system seems to play in Tampa’s favor, with the current taking water flow from destination south/west. The good news for us in Florida is that the weather continues to cooperate. The winds continue out of the south/southeast and the current continues to push the oil slightly to the west. This should limit any onshore impact. Please use the NY Times Oil Spill Water Current Map to help track this disaster. Following this link will give you all the tools to offer assistance in this time of need.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

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Do-It-Yourself The Best Way To Go? June 18, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Before getting started on a project, Hillsborough County home owners should take a good look at what they’d like to tackle and consider all their options.  Small projects are great for weekend warriors who are familiar with the basics of home improvement.  Larger projects, like a kitchen or bathroom remodel should be thoroughly considered before tackling without the help of a professional due to the more complicated structural and design elements that are involved.  When trying to determine whether to go DIY or with a professional, consider the basic aspects of any home improvement project; design, quality, time & money, and warranty.

Design is an important aspect of any home improvement effort – no matter how large or how small the project.  It can often mean the success or failure of a venture.  If you aren’t blessed with ‘vision’, get ideas out of magazines or consider hiring someone to create it for you.

Quality is also important.  The quality of a professional job vs. a standard homeowner version of the same will in most cases be very different.  Weekend warriors and DIY experts can do a fantastic job, especially when it’s something they’ve done before.  However, if they’re tackling something new and quality is an important factor for this element if their Hillsborough County home, professional assistance can be a great help.

Time is, as we all realize, valuable.  Time is money, and it can also be a frustration.  In most cases, a professional is required to complete a project by the completion date included in their signed contract.  Keeping them on track is sometimes much easier than ourselves, with all the day-to-day distractions that come along with our lives.  If your project is large and timeline is important, hiring a professional may be the way to go.

Last but certainly not least, consider the warranty on work that professionals will offer along with their services.  While the new kitchen faucet you purchased from Home Depot and installed yourself will of course be under warranty for a period, the new pipes you also connected yourself below the sink will not be.  If something should leak and cause damage in your Hillsborough County home, you’ll have no recourse if you completed the work yourself.  However, if a plumber who provides a warranty period had completed the work, you’d have someone to rely on to help you fix the issue.  Also, consider that improper installation methods may void manufacturer’s warranties on products, leaving you without help if something goes awry.

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Everyday Solar Power Possibilities June 16, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Solar power is unfortunately often thought of as something that’s not practical for mainstream usage.  But, there’s good news!  Companies like Lennox Industries are creating attainable everyday systems for harnessing this free green energy source.  The creation of practical systems for average home owners will assist in bridging the gap between green-friendly and green-affordable.

Lennox Industries has introduced a solar powered central heating and cooling system called SunSource.  The main platform of the system consists of a solar ready air conditioning system, heat pump, and roof-installed solar modules.  The best news regarding SunSoure is that the system can be phased into an existing home gradually.  Anywhere from 1 to 15 solar modules can be installed, and both the panels and A/C or heat systems can be added separately.  This will allow St Petersburg home owners to convert to the system at their own pace and, more importantly, according to their own budget.

In addition to powering heating and cooling, SunSource also has the potential to provide electricity to power appliances and the lights in your St Petersburg home.  The more panels added, the more power available.   Another great feature of the product is the communication panel, which allows a home owner to view the performance of the system and its various elements.  A curious home owner can easily track home much energy their solar panels are producing with 24/7 access, and also see carbon offsets.

Interesting in learning more about SunSource for your St Petersburg home?  See a sample home setup and view an informational video from Lennox here.

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Great Tool For Homeowners June 14, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Tampa real estate

The National Association of Realtors recently launched a new consumer website called Houselogic.  The free and very easy to navigate site was created to both educate and assist consumers in regards to all aspects of owning a home.  The site is a great resource for both current and potential owners of Tampa real estate, with a wide array of informational articles and news from home finance to home improvement.  Houselogic also features a great project planner, where property owners can organize, plan, and schedule improvements to their home. Buying guides are also available, allowing for owners  of Tampa real estate to make the best decisions when purchasing appliances and more.

Get the most out of your real estate investment, and check out this great free resource!

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Urban Living Made Easier June 11, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Living in multi-family buildings can be tough, especially in places where sound sometimes carries between units as if the walls between them don’t exist.  If you love your Tampa condo or St Petersburg townhome, or are thinking about purchasing one, but don’t like noise there are solutions for you.  No longer are we just limited to noise reducing products that are more practically suited for remodels or new construction.

United Plastics Corporation has created a noise-reducing product that’s specifically designed for installation in existing homes, offices, condos and apartments.  The product, called dB2-4, is advertised as capable of reducing noise by as much as 75 percent.   Since it’s made from recycled plastic, it’s also green friendly – and can be recycled once again if it is ever removed.  Best of all, once the lightweight product is installed it call be painted over, so there’s no need to sacrifice your decor.

So whether you’re currently living in a Tampa or St Petersburg multi-family environment, or thinking about purchasing a home in one, there’s no longer a need to worry about sacrificing your silence in order to gain the urban lifestyle.

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Make Your Yard Earth Friendly May 26, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Pinellas County HomeEveryone talks these days about ways to go green and lessen our impact on the planet.  If you’re interested in ways to contribute to the effort, look no further than out your own window!  After learning that our country is home to more than 32 million acres of lawn which absorb over 270 billion gallons of water every week and use more than 800 million gallons of gas a year – we think it’s an important place to start.  Here are some easy ways to get started in having a more green conscious yard for your Hillsborough or Pinellas County home.

Don’t drown it. Most lawns are overwatered, especially here in Florida.  Know the signs of a thirsty lawn .  If your grass doesn’t spring back when you step on it in the heat of the afternoon, it’s time to water.  Also, be aware of your automatic sprinklers during our rainy season – how many times have you seen a home or business where the sprinklers are on during a rainstorm?  It’s better to water deeply than frequently, giving the water a chance to seep in which means the roots will grow deeper.

Let it breathe. Aerating your lawn loosens the roots and allows waters and fertilizers penetrate much easier.  Keeping your grass taller will reduce the ability for weeds to thrive, which means less chemicals needed to kill them.

Go natural. Many products have been developed which allow for natural remedies to combat bugs and weeds.  Also, lawns can sometimes be over-fertilized.  Try keeping your grass clippings and distributing them through your lawn with a rake.  It’s free fertilizer which is rich in nitrogen.  The less chemicals the better when you’re going for green friendly, so check what’s available at your local home center to see what your options are.

Getting your Pinellas County home‘s lawn to go green is easier than you might think.  Give it a try!  For more information, take a look at FloridaYards.org.

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Keeping Your Home Healthy May 24, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

St Petersburg HomeWe all take a deep breath of relief when we come home after a hard day – but what if that air isn’t healthy?  There are a few things which you can easily control in order to make sure the air in your St Petersburg home is as healthy as possible.

First things first, take a look at your furniture.  What it’s made of can have a big effect on the air you breathe.  Pressed woods, which are used in certain types of furniture can have a very unhealthy affect on the air in your home.  Products containing particleboard, plywood, and medium density fiberboard (MDF) contain a material which releases formaldehyde into the air.  Formaldehyde, along with being a suspected carcinogen, is also known to cause headaches and skin rashes.  Choosing furnishings which avoid these materials will start you on your way to cleaner air.

Paints and other finishes can also have negative effects on your St Petersburg home‘s indoor air quality.  These products emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), which can cause breathing problems and increase asthma rates in children.  Most companies now produce products which have low VOC content or none at all, which has no affect on the durability or quality of the product.  Those types of products are a much better choice for homeowners concerned about the air quality in their home.

Also, be aware of the products your bring into your St Petersburg home for everyday activity like cleaning.  Household cleaners can contain harsh chemical which pollute the air in your home.  If the product has a serious warning or danger level, chances are it’s not good for the health of your family – or your home.  Choosing plant-based or natural cleaning products or methods will help to improve your indoor air quality.

To learn more about indoor air quality, visit the EPA’s web page on the topic by clicking here.

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Quick Tips For Aspiring Green Thumbs May 21, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hillsborough County HomeWe’ve all seen them…Those houses that you drive by and just say, “Wow.”  What you’ve seen is a house with great curb appeal.  It could be a tiny cottage or a huge custom built masterpiece.  Either way, it makes you stop and take notice.  Though part of curb appeal of course depends on the home itself, a large factor is the landscaping.   A great way to improve the landscaping of your home with a few small, easy projects is to start adding some containers or window boxes.  It’s an easy way to add a wow factor to your front yard without having to be a professional green thumb.  Here are some great tips for creating beautiful and easy to manage container gardens or window boxes for your Hillsborough County home.

Great combinations. Combining plants in a container that need the same amount of water and fertilizer will make your life much easier when it comes to caring for your plants.

Size matters. When planning which plants will go in what type of container, keep in mind how large they’ll become as they grow.  Putting a plant which will grow to be 2′ tall would probably best be placed in a larger pot, instead of a window box.

Shop smart. To make sure you’ll get the most out of the plants you purchase for your Hillsborough County home, choices should look healthy from the start and be growing in good-size pots.  Plants that have outgrown their pots while still at the store can possibly be root bound and not grow well without some extra assistance.  If a plant looks unhealthy at the store, it may be in need of more than just a good watering – may be best to move on to another if you’re looking for quick & easy options.

Choose wisely. The container you place the plants in should always have good drainage – typically in the form of holes on the bottom.  If using it for a window box, your choice should be lightweight.  Also keep in mind where water will go when draining from the container (for instance, don’t place a container with holes directly on wood which will become discolored).

Quality first. Good soil can make or break any landscaping project, no matter how large or small.  Your soil should be fast draining and of good quality.  Soil that has a water-holding agent, while more expensive, can be more practical in the long run by reducing watering frequency.

Avoid growing pains. In planning your planting, make sure you allow room for your new babies to grow.  Cramming them in too tightly to start off with won’t allow your plants to thrive in our beautiful Florida sunshine.

Feeling competitive?  Lots of local communities have local garden clubs where you can put your newly gained skills to the test.  Great little neighborhoods all over the Tampa Bay area have organizations for like-minded folks!  For example, check out neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Davis Islands which have Garden Clubs for their local green-thumbs.  One will surely be easy to find that’s close to your Hillsborough County home.