How Feng Shui Can Improve Your Home and your Health

Feng Shui is an artform based on a series of guidelines derived from ancient Eastern philosophies that is designed to create a sense of balance and harmony in the home which therefore creates a sense of balance and harmony within oneself. The thought being that if one’s home is healthy, then the individual can be healthy. When a this perfect balance is achieved in the home a positive energy is therefore created. There are many factors in a home that can block this positive energy, the most important perhaps, is organization.... continue

Selling Your Home? Make it Stand Out!

10 Staging Tips to Help Your Home Sell


RISMEDIA, March 19, 2010—(MCT)—Want to sell your home? Get out the bucket, mop and Mr. Clean. The key to making a positive first impression is simple, said Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show.

“Get it clean, clean, clean,” said Rinomato. “If your house isn’t clean, it instantly sends up negative thoughts that the home is not well maintained. If your house is spotless, you’re ahead of the game,” she said.

But don’t stop there, advised Rinomato. To increase your chances of making a sale, “stage” the house to make it as attractive as possible. Until recently, “Staging meant pulling out all the stops—setting the dining table with your best china and crystal, arranging flowers, lighting candles,” she said. “Now we take the minimalist approach. Basically, you want to strip the house to its bare essentials, depersonalize it so potential buyers can superimpose themselves and their lifestyle on the house.”

Rinomato offered the following tips for staging a home.......continue

Great introduction to Cranford NJ

NY Times: Living In/Cranford, N.J.

A number of Cranford’s grander houses, along Hampton Road, back up to the Rahway River. Some were built for wealthy New Yorkers during the town’s heyday as a summer resort.

By JILL P. CAPUZZO
Published: October 29, 2010

THIS is the kind of place that no one wants to leave. And those who do often find themselves angling to come back.

The Alexo family provides a good example. Ken Alexo Jr. grew up in Cranford but left after getting married: he and his wife, Alexandra, bought a house they could afford in Clark. Last October, eight years and three children later, they moved back to Cranford. Ms. Alexo said they had considered 30 or 40 houses, but only in Cranford. They “never looked anywhere else,” she said.
Ms. Alexo described her husband’s obsession as a “sickness” — but one she has come to empathize with. “It’s such a great place to grow up. You get attached; your roots are here. People just love it.” .......continued

Living in Westfield, NJ

A Cozy Town That Appeals to All Generations

By DAVE CALDWELL
Published: September 13, 2009
Westfield has lost some of its mom-and-pop ambience and morphed into a suburb of restaurants and boutiques......continue

Garage Doors and Curb Appeal

Garage doors are often overlooked. However, according to a recent New York Times article titled "Garage Doors for All Seasons," this would be a mistake. Garage doors serve as a crucial component of a home's curb appeal.
In addition, garage doors can be a significant source of heat loss. Without breaking the bank, a typical wood or fiberglass garage door can be replaced with an insulated steel door that could save a homeowner hundreds of dollars a year in heating costs.
Installing an automatic garage door opener continues to be popular among homeowners. Newer automatic doors are quieter and many can be wired to run on a backup battery. Additionally, all new automatic openers have federally mandated safety features. For example, a photoelectric eye six inches from the bottom allows the door to immediately stop closing if a toy or child breaks the beam. Garage doors should not be overlooked as they can increase curb appeal, protect against heat loss and be an attractive feature to potential homebuyers. Click here for more information on garage doors.

Bathrooms- Getting Ready to Sell

A cheerful and modern bathroom will not only contribute to the overall appearance of your home, but it may also help your home sell. According to Remodeling magazine, the average price in 2007 for a mid-range bathroom remodel was $14,445. However, Lytel Young, host of HGTV’s “Save my Bath,” reveals that you can spend far less and still make a world of difference in your bathroom’s appearance. Inexpensive steps to makeover a bathroom include:
· Rip out the dated medicine cabinet and replace it with a big mirror.
· Replace the lighting with new sconces on both sides of the mirror, plus a new overhead fixture on a dimmer.
· Re-caulk the tub and shower.
· Repaint with a neutral color, but decorate with big, fluffy, colorful pillows.
· Hang some framed art.
These steps will help to greatly improve the appearance of your bathroom without breaking the bank. Click here for more tips and ideas to renovate your bathroom.

I want a Colonial style home...

Styles of Homes
Buildings are used for many purposes and are therefore classified into houses, stores, churches, governmental, and industrial. We will only concern ourselves with single-family residential and commercial structures.
Buildings are classified into distinctive styles......continue