“Creative Reuse” is the transformation of everyday items that would otherwise be thrown out into something useful. It’s where being “green” and the arts can converge.

In every Kings Grant home, there are literally hundreds of items that be reused and repurposed, including such disparate items as chipped coffee mugs, step ladders, and bubble wrap. After transformation, for example, these three items can become a simple storage container, a plant stand, and greenhouse insulation, respectively.

Real Simple made a list of “50 All-Time Favorite New Uses For Old Things“. It’s a list of Creative Reuse projects from which you’re bound to find inspiration.

For example, the magazine suggests using an old Twister Mat as a children’s party tablecloth; or an old eyeglasses case to hold nail care essentials such as clippers, files and scissors.

Some of Real Simple’s other top ideas included :

• Distinguish your glass from other party-goers’ glasses at a party with peel-on/peel-off window decals
• Protect counter tops from hot dishes with and old mousepad-turned-trivet
• Eliminate travel bulk. Carry non-prescription medicines in an old contact lens case.
• Use Play-Doh as a candle or sparkler holder
• Pour pancake batter into an old ketchup bottle for no-mess cooking

With Creative Reuse, you’re limited only by your imagination and, even then, Google can be a terrific project resource.

Check the Real Simple list for 50 great ideas.

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How clean are the fruits and vegetables you eat? Unless you pick your food straight from the farm, your food is likely more dirty than you think.

In addition to pesticide treatment made while food is still “on the vine”, fruits and vegetables you buy at a grocery are often coated in wax to preserve their “shelf life”; and you can never know how much dirt your food has rolled in.

Even organic foods are handled multiple times on the way to the grocery store. They may be pesticide-free, but they’re not dirt-free or free from human handling.

This is why we wash fruits and vegetables before consumption — to wash off dirt. But, there are extra precautions you can take to make sure your food is truly “clean”.

One such method is to use a make-it-yourself, organic fruit wash. The recipe is basic and simple. All you need is a large, lidded pitcher for mixing, some everyday foods, and a spray bottle.

1. In the large pitcher, pour 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
2. Add 25 drops of grapefruit seed extract. If you can’t find this at your local grocery, check with a natural food store or specialty store.
3. Mix ingredients in the pitcher, and pour into a spray bottle

That’s it.

Then, when you’re ready to clean fruits and vegetables, use your homemade spray wash and coat the food liberally. Let the food stand for 5 minutes, then rinse the spray wash from the food in the sink.

Expect dirt to roll off fruit and vegetables surfaces and for the spray’s vinegar component to neutralize pesticides. You’ll be left with cleaner, healthier natural foods.

To make the fruit wash should take less than 5 minutes. Each batch should last one month, depending on the amount of fruits and vegetables you consume.

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According to NAR, “A short sale is a transaction in which the lender, or lenders, agree to accept less than the mortgage amount owed by the current homeowner.”

Basically, the current value of the home is less than what is owed the lender(s). A short sale takes much longer to process than a normal transaction. The bank requires more documentation to be collected and reviewed. A shortsale Hardship Letter is just the start. The lender will need proof of an economic hardship, including income, asset and bank statements. If there are multiple lenders then they need to agree on how much of a loss each one takes.

Why would someone attempt a Short Sale?

1. Fallen behind on payments and other options aren’t working.
2. Has no equity in the home but needs to sell.
3.  To avoid foreclosure due to a financial hardship such as
1. job loss or relocation
2. loss or decrease in income
3. Increase in mortgage payment or interest rate
4. divorce

Why would the lender accept a short sale? It might just be the best case scenario for everyone involved. It might cost a lender less to do a short sale than handle a foreclosure.

How long does the short sale take? The banks have gotten faster about processing them in the past few years but really…  Who knows. Every bank and situation is different. A general rule of thumb is to give yourself at least 60 days.

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As compared to gloomy days, do “sunny days” put you in a good mood? If you’re like many people in Norfolk, Va , the answer is “yes”.

In a study of more than 1,200 people, researchers found that daily weather factors such as temperature, precipitation and length of day can alter a person’s emotional state. Of all the weather factors, however, “sunshine” can have the most profound effect.

The most likely reason is because sunshine affects people in a physiological manner.

When the human brain detects sunlight, our bodies produce serotonin, a chemical which promotes happiness and well-being. By contrast, when the brain detect darkness, our bodies produce melatonin, a chemical which promotes sleep cycles.

Sunlight — quite literally — leads to happiness.

Understanding the effect of sunlight on human mood, therefore, we must consider the nation’s “sunniest cities” as more than just a novelty list. It may be a link to personal well-being, too.

From the National Climactic Data Center, these are the Top 10 Sunniest Cities in the United States :

1. Yuma, AZ : Sunny on 90% of all days
2. Redding, CA : Sunny on 88% of all days
3. Las Vegas, NV : Sunny on 85% of all days
4. Phoenix, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
5. Tucson, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
6. El Paso, TX : Sunny on 84% of all days
7. Fresno, CA : Sunny on 79% of all days
8. Reno, NV : Sunny on 79% of all days
9. Flagstaff, AZ : Sunny on 78% of all days
10. Sacramento, CA : Sunny on 78% of all days

Virginia came in with: Richmond, VA  (#57 with  63% sunshine); Norfolk, Va (#83 with 60% sunshine) and Lynchburg, Va (#96 with 59% sunshine).

The sunshine rankings of other noteworthy cities include Key West, FL (#12 with 76% sunshine); Denver, CO (#30 with 69% sunshine); and Seattle, WA (#165 with 43% sunshine).

At the bottom of the list is Juneau. Just 30 percent of the Alaskan capital city’s days are sunny.

The complete Sunshine Rankings as listed by Metropolitan Area is available on the NCDC website.

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Falling mortgage rates make owning a home more affordable. Mortgage rates are directly tied to monthly mortgage payment so as mortgage rates drop, so does the cost of home-ownership.

It’s a money-saving time to buy a home in Virginia Beach — or to refinance one. Mortgage rates have never been this low in history.

According to Freddie Mac, last week, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 3.87% nationwide for borrowers willing to pay an accompanying 0.8 discount points plus closing costs. 0.8 discount points is a one-time closing cost equal to 0.8 percent of your loan size, or $800 per $100,000 borrowed.

This represents an incredible value as compared to February of last year.

It was exactly one year ago that mortgage rates begin their long slide lower. On February 11, 2011, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage reached its peak for the year, reading 5.05% in Freddie Mac’s nationwide survey. If you are among the many U.S. households that bought or refinanced a home around that time, you could choose to replace your current home loan with a new one and save close to 13% on your monthly mortgage payment.

13 percent saved on your mortgage is a noteworthy statistic.

Look at this 30-year fixed rate mortgage payment comparison over the last 12 months :

• February 2011 : $539.88 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed
• February 2012 : $469.95 principal + interest per $100,000 borrowed

Because of falling mortgage rates, a homeowner with a $250,000 30-year fixed rate mortgage would save at least $175 per month just by refinancing into a new loan at today’s mortgage rates. That’s $2,100 in savings per year.

Even after accounting for discount points and closing costs, the “break-even point” on a mortgage like that can come relatively quickly.

We can’t predict mortgage rates so there’s no promise rates will stay like this forever. If you’re planning to buy a home or refinance one, the best way to keep your monthly payments down is to lock your rate while rates are still low.

The market looks ripe for that now.

Click here if you would like to have a lender contact you… or give us a call!

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You only have one chance to make a first impression. It’s a cliche but one that is very appropriate if you want to sell your home.

When a home is listed for sale, its “clutter” can be the difference between a rapid sale and no sale at all.

Clutter, in its strictest sense, is defined as anything untidy; or in a disorderly state. In real estate, the term is broadened to include unnecessary furniture pieces; unwieldy artwork or collections; stacks of papers and/or magazines; and anything that otherwise restricts the open flow of a home’s floor plan.

In other words, clutter is anything that distracts from your home’s natural footprint.

As a home seller in Chesapeake , understanding how your home’s clutter can affect a buyer is paramount to helping your home sell faster, and at a higher contract price.

First, there’s the psychological angle. A potential home buyer may see clutter and think “mess”. Few people want to buy a house they find messy or otherwise disorganized.

Second, there’s the practical angle. A home that appears full of “things” also appears as if its lacking in storage space. This, too, can turn off buyers.

When you list your home for sale, here are basic tips to de-clutter your home. Some of this advice may not be practical with respect to your home, in particular, so make sure to ask your real estate agent for follow-up help.

1. In each room, remove photos, trophies, plaques and other personal items on display.
2. Remove large collections such as dolls, cars, miniature cans, and the like.
3. Remove worn throw rugs
4. Remove items from kitchen countertops, including small appliances
5. Remove items from bathroom countertops

You should also consider removing distinctive artwork from your walls, or replacing pieces with items that are more bland.

The over-reaching goal of de-cluttering is to depersonalize and neutralize your home so a buyer can visualize himself/herself living there. De-cluttering your home can also make your home appear larger, accentuating the features of each room.

It’s no wonder that minimally-cluttered homes tend to have a wider appeal among buyers.

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In today’s Norfolk homes, front-loading washing machines are a popular choices as compared to traditional, top-loading machines for 3 main reasons:

1. They wash more clothes per cycle, lowering household energy costs
2. They’re environmentally-friendly, using less water per cycle
3. They’re gentler on clothes, preserving colors and fabrics longer

They also require more care in the “cleaning” department.

Because of the way most front-loading washers are built, they tend to pool water in their drums, which can be a breeding ground bacteria and mildew.

Whether your front-loading washer smells “dirty” or not, you’ll want to follow proper procedures to keep it clean.

First, only use High Efficiency detergent. High Efficiency detergent is super-concentrated and creates fewer suds than traditional laundry detergent. Fewer suds means more soap is drained in the rinse cycle, leaving fewer chemicals and fragrances to sit in the drum.

High Efficiency detergent is also sold fragrance-free. This is the preferred variety for a long-term, stink-free washing machine.

Next, at least once weekly, take a dry cloth and wipe the inside rim of your front-loading washer. There, you will find a wide plastic tube in which water settles between loads of laundry. If you find stains or grime, remove it.

If your washer has a drain filter on its front-lower edge, remove the filter and allow the water to drain — preferably onto a towel or into a bucket.

Then, lastly, consider running an empty cycle with just bleach and water. This is optional, but can help remove lingering stench.

Once your front-loading washing machine is cleaned, going forward, after each load runs, try leaving your washer’s front door open. This will allow fresh air to circulate through the washer and help drum-settled water to evaporate.

With less water and humidity in the drum, bacteria growth is slowed.

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How long has it been since you last changed your home’s air filters?

Home air filters trap and remove dust and particles from the air you breathe; leaving “clean air” to circulate your home.

Clean air in your home is important because it promotes better health.

One way to keep to keep your home’s air as clean as possible is to replace its used air filters at least once per quarter; or once monthly in homes with shedding pets or that otherwise “get dusty”.

Changing air filters is among the easier do-it-yourself chores for a Chesapeake homeowner; a task that takes less than one minute. The secondary benefit of doing it is that new filters help keep your HVAC unit in tip-top shape.

Here’s how to change your home’s air filter :

1. Open the air filter compartment door/slider on your HVAC unit.
2. Note the size of your current filter. It’s typically written on the frame.
3. Note the direction in which the filter is pointing. There may be an arrow on its frame.
4. Purchase a new filter at a hardware store. Make sure the sizes matches the size from Step 2.
5. Remove the old filter.
6. Replace old filter with the newly purchased one from Step 4. Make sure the arrow is pointing in the same direction as the original filter’s arrow.
7. Using a marker, note the date of filter change on the side of the filter.
8. Close the air filter compartment door/slider.

And that’s it.

When you find a filter type and style that you like, consider buying them in bulk — it can be helpful to have extra air filters laying around the home for when you need them — especially during season changes when you may want to replace filters more frequently.

There is some debate about how much to spend on your air filters. Often, the least expensive filters allow large particles to recirculate through the HVAC unit, and back in to your home. Choosing a top of the line filter may last longer and provide greater (HEPA, etc) benefit. Just be aware that the newer high density air filters may overwork older HVAC motors. Talk to an HVAC specialist and/or keep an ear out for any new noises.

Your home and your health will thank you.

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Microwaves are often well-worn. Spills and splatters dot their ceilings; splattered food stuffs line their walls.

To clean your microwave, you can use the harsh chemicals on sale at supermarkets and hardware stores, or you can apply an all-natural approach which yields the same results, with only slightly more preparation time.

The extra time may be worth it, too, considering that the chemicals of an over-the-counter cleaner may seep into your foods over time.

To keep your microwave fresh and clean, using organic materials only, here’s what to do :

1. Unplug your microwave from the wall for safety.
2. Gather a microwave safe bowl; 1 1/4 cups of water; a lemon; baking soda; white vinegar; and cleaning cloths.
3. Slice the lemon and place the slices into your bowl. Add the water.
4. Heat the bowl in the microwave for 7 minutes. Leave the microwave door closed for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Remove the bowl (CAUTION : Bowl will be hot).
6. Remove the microwave’s glass cooking surface and wheel system. Hand wash and set aside to dry.
7. Dip a clean cloth in the lemon water mixture.
8. Wipe down the microwave’s exterior and interior surfaces, remoistening the cloth as required.
9. Moisten a clean cloth with vinegar. Wipe down the microwave door’s interior surface.
10. Replace glass and wheel system, and plug the microwave back in to the wall.

If you find lingering stains in your microwave, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Dip a corner of your cleaning cloth into the paste and apply it to the stain directly, gently rubbing in a circular motion until the stain is gone.

Microwaves should be cleaned at least once weekly for optimal performance.

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Exposed interior brick can add a nice, decorative touch to your Ghent Norfolk home, but because brick is a porous material and prone to staining, it can be cumbersome to clean.

how to clean exposed brick

Standard household detergents alone are rarely enough to clean brick properly, so if your home features exposed interior brick, plan to use alternative cleaning methods instead.

Here is how to do it.

First, find a pair of sturdy rubber gloves to protect your hands from the harsh brick surface and from your cleaning agents. Then, with a dry dish cloth, gently wipe the entire surface of the brick wall to remove loose dirt and dust.

Next, pour a grease-cutting dish detergent into a small bucket. Do not add water to the detergent. Add a small amount of table salt instead.

Mix well.

Next, apply a thin layer of the soap-and-salt mix to the bricks using a cloth and allow the mix to sit on the bricks for 10-15 minutes. Then, with a hard-bristled scrub brush, gently scrub the brick to remove the stubborn dirt.

Lastly, dip a clean dishcloth into a warm water-filled bucket and use the dishcloth to remove the detergent mix from the wall.

Allow the wall to air dry.

Cleaning exposed interior brick is more complicated than cleaning other household surfaces but a clean brick wall can help reduce in-home health hazards and keep your brick in its best possible condition for the long-haul.

Neptune Realty - Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton Roads Real Estate and Homes.