3 Natural Ways to Rid 3 Common Midwest Insects From Your Home

With the emergence of warmer weather come the bugs. They are climbing out of their hibernating spaces and looking for a summer home – in your house! But don’t fret; there are several easy and natural ways to keep common Midwestern insects out of your home.

Three Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants

1. Cleanliness. Food dropped on floors or dripped down the side of an appliance will attract ants. Wipe down spills and sweep the floors. Avoid leaving out uncovered food or dirty dishes.
2. Salt. According to James Mouyassar of 2 Nice Guys Pest Control, “use the same rock salt you use to de-ice your sidewalks in the wintertime and make a perimeter around your home along the foundation to keep ants away.” Note: this method will kill any plants the salt comes into contact with. Use a cup with a pour spout or something similar to help spread the salt with more control and less strain than maneuvering a heavy bag.
3. Orange oil. ^1.Citrus oils like orange, lemon and grapefruit contain d-limonene, which is toxic to ants. Spray a mixture of the essential oil and water along their entry points to mask their scent trails or add the citrus oil to a cotton ball and wipe windowsills and doorsteps. Note: Be sure to test any areas you don’t want stained as some orange oil sprays have an orange tint.

Three Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

1. Do not leave molded fruit out.  ^2.According to Todd Schlenke, assistant professor of biology at Emory University, "Fruit flies spend their whole lives searching for the smell of rotting fruit, then get in through cracks in the door or however the smell is getting out of your house." A brown banana peel won’t cause fruit flies by itself but fuzzy or molding fruit will. If you notice any fruit that is molding dispose of it immediately.
2. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Create a trap by covering a jar with a tablespoon or two of vinegar with plastic wrap. Hold the plastic wrap down with a rubber band. Punch a few small holes in it. The flies will go in and not be able to come out. Dump when gross.
3. Red wine. A potential cause is also a potential solution. Fruit flies love the smell of wine. So leave an open bottle of red wine out with a little wine in the bottom and the insects will fly into the bottle and not be able to fly out.

Three Natural Ways to Get Rid of Spiders

1. Peppermint. Spiders despise the smell of peppermint. ^3.Spray your area with a mixture of peppermint oil and water to keep spiders at bay. Your home will smell great too! 
2. Vinegar. Already seen a spider in your home? Similar to peppermint, you can make a mixture of vinegar and water and spray your area, particularly in the cracks and corners. Note: This also works for ants as it destroys the smell of their trail and will help eliminate stragglers. 
3. Dusting. Literally dusting away the cobwebs and cleaning in the corners is needed to keep spiders from settling into your home. Go over the corners of the ceiling and floors with the hose attachment on your vacuum at least once a month.

References: 

1. http://www.mommypotamus.com/7-ways-get-rid-ants-naturally/
2. http://www.hgtvgardens.com/pests/a-surprising-way-to-banish-fruit-flies
3. http://www.naturallivingideas.com/9-natural-ways-to-keep-spiders-out-of-your-home/
   
   
   

Green Building and Green Home Retrofitting

This is an exciting time for green home construction and for green retrofitting a home. Green building trends offer some amazing opportunities to ensure a healthful, efficient home, and this year we'll see even more options than we have in the past. Benefits include energy savings through water and energy efficiency, better indoor air quality and reduced construction waste.

Some of the myths about green building and retrofitting are that it is complicated and expensive. It’s true that some go to great lengths to build their own efficient, off-grid home. But many can improve their current home with some of the ideas below.

Green ideas for retrofitting the inside of a home:

• Adding extra insulation
• Using energy-efficient appliances
• Installing energy-efficient windows
• Highly programmable thermostat installed
• Using recycled or up-cycled items for remodeling and décor (check out this article - includes shutter table pictured)
• Bringing in plants to filter the air in your home (best plants for air filtration)
• Turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use

Green ideas for outside the home:

• Utilizing a rain barrel to water your garden
• Diverting storm water to be infiltrated into your yard or landscaping instead of directly into storm sewers
• Planting trees that shade the building to alleviate some of the need for air conditioning
• Composting keeps your garbage scraps out of everyday waste and creates food for your garden
• Using worms instead of chemicals to fertilize your garden

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) now requires new constructed homes to meet the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code in order for potential homeowners to be eligible for a conventional FHA-insured mortgage.  So purchasing a newly built home means getting more green features in your home. Plus builders want to work with green-minded individuals in the home building process.

Green home construction practices:

• Building solar panels into the home during construction
• Utilizing roofing materials such as slate, terra cotta, white tiles, special membranes, and metal roofing reflecting the sun’s energy away from the roof, cools faster at night and holds less heat for less time to help reduce energy costs and usage (see roof types)
• Geothermal power is an option that involves a substantial up-front investment, but with it via the earth (think heat pump) you can heat and cool your home. (How it works)
• Use of recyclable and sustainable materials
• Green practices instilled in every phase from design to construction

We hope this article give you some ideas for ways to add more green features to your home. The Boehmer Team can connect you with a local green builder or find an existing green home for sale. Visit www.TheBoehmerTeam.com or call us today for assistance.

Sources:

• http://www.imt.org/news/the-current/innovations-in-energy-efficiency-finance-new-fha-rule-points-the-way-ahead
• http://www.stlhba.com/PageLoader.aspx?PageId=93
• http://stlouisgreen.com/blog/category/green-building/

The Boehmer Team Awarded Third in the Country at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices National Convention

HSF Affiliates LLC hosted its annual Sales Convention March 22-24 in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Linda and Kelly Boehmer of The Boehmer Team appeared onstage Tuesday, at the Mirage Hotel & Casino event, where they waited to hear their team rank out of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices 35,000 agents from 1,100 offices in 47 states. Excitement grew as they continued to wait while 97 other of the top 100 teams in the nation were announced.

Finally the announcer called out, “the number three team in the nation is The Boehmer Team from St. Charles, Missouri.”

Several dozen Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties agents from the St. Charles and St. Louis area could be heard cheering loudly above the rest in the audience as The Boehmer Team crossed the stage.

After the event Kelly Boehmer said, “We are honored. Each day our team enjoys working together to successfully assist our clients and builders. To be awarded for doing a job we love feels amazing.”

Rick Colburn, Co-Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties St. Charles County office of The Boehmer Team said, “I can't begin to explain how proud I am of this team. Congrats to Linda, Kelly and the entire Boehmer Team.”

Several thousand real estate professionals and guests from all over the country attended the three-day event titled, Revolution 2015, to gain insight from motivational speakers, hear market observations, attend panel discussions, preview the network’s latest tools and resources, and watch the best of the best be awarded.

What's Your Paradise?

The Boehmer Team wants to know, "what's your paradise?"

To find out, The Boehmer Team is holding a "My Paradise" Contest to win two tickets to see Jimmy Buffett in concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on June 4th, 2015!

Is your paradise the beach? Your Garden? Motorcycling? Canoeing? A favorite meal at your favorite restaurant? We want to know.

Anyone can enter by doing the following:

1. Like The Boehmer Team on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter 
2. Post a picture of your paradise on Facebook or Twitter
3. In the description type #MyParadise and tag @The Boehmer Team (To tag us start typing “@The Boehmer Team” and then click The Boehmer Team from the drop-down options.)

The winner will be picked May 1st, 2015.
The winner will be chosen at random. Anyone can enter and win.

 

The Boehmer Team honored for donation to The Sunshine Kids

The Boehmer Team with Prudential Select Properties Real Estate has recently been recognized for the fifth consecutive year for being among the top contributors, companywide, to The Sunshine Kids.  The Sunshine Kids is a not for profit organization dedicated to children with cancer. Established in 1982, they are committed to providing positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. The Sunshine Kids provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America.

March is the red carpet season for real estate.  Among all of the awards and accolades that we have been blessed to receive this year, this is the one that means the most to us.  We make a contribution for every closed sale, both listings and buyers, to The Sunshine Kids.  It is a privilege to be affiliated with an organization that has made, and continues to make, a difference for these amazing and brave children.

 

If you are considering a move or have questions regarding real estate in St. Charles County or the St. Louis Metropolitan area, contact The Boehmer Team at www.TheBoehmerTeam.com.

We are Proud to be Honored

The Boehmer Team is proud to announce that we have been named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s Highest Selling St. Louis Real Estate Agents.  We are grateful to our many clients, friends and family for their business and their many referrals.  Without them this amazing achievement would not be possible.  With the greatest increase in sales volume on the list and the fewest years in the business, we take this accomplishment very seriously and are humbled to be in the company of the fine agents listed.  We are full time, full service real estate professionals who utilize the newest marketing techniques when marketing our homes. We work with buyers, sellers and have extensive knowledge of new construction.  If moving is on your mind and you are considering buying or selling a home in St. Charles County, MO give The Boehmer Team a call or visit us on the web at www.TheBoehmerTeam.com.   

Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale

The buying and selling season is definitely picking up steam here with The Boehmer Team at Prudential Select Properties.  The phones are ringing and homes are coming on the market at a rapid pace.  It is amazing what a difference it makes to walk into a home that is truly prepared to be on the market.  Believe me, little things do make a big difference! 

Much of what we are talking about doesn’t cost you much if anything.  It may take a little elbow grease and time, but the payoff is far greater than the effort and you have a well organized home.  The message sent by how the home is presented is far greater than most home sellers realize.  Let’s face it, buyers will snoop.  If they see organized, well maintained and clean areas they assume the home has been well maintained and taken care of.   Buyers don’t want to think that the home has just been surface cleaned for the sale, but has been meticulously maintained throughout the time you have owned the home.  A home with lesser features but impeccably presented stands a good chance of being in the game.

The most critical part of this puzzle is pricing and marketing the home appropriately.   

Here are a few thoughts on preparing your home for sale:

1. Curb appeal counts!  Pull up and take a good look yourself.  Sidewalks should be cleared of debris, the lawn should be mowed if the season allows, landscape should be trimmed with fresh mulch, flowers planted in season (yellow is inviting), the house numbers clearly readable from the street and any planters that are displayed should filled with fresh flowers or removed. 
2. The front door should be clean, dust free, door knob polished and nicely painted.  It is the first thing you see as you approach the home.
3. Make sure your doors (inside and out) are squeak free.  This is a simple fix that takes only minutes.
4. Declutter - Less is more.  If you are committed to moving, pack up items that you do not use on a regular basis and stack them neatly in a storage area either in your basement or in a storage unit.  Kitchen and bathroom counters, drawers, closets and rooms should be simply displayed.
5. Neutral colors- We both love color.  It makes a home show with so much personality, makes pictures show better and adds interest to rooms.  Although, when selling we have found that a neutral color works best for most buyers.  It should be rich enough to make white trim stand out and add warmth to the room but not to dark to make the rooms look small.  Many times we see sellers paint white to be neutral.  We personally do not find that to be the answer, as it appears very stark, cold and impersonal.  Make neutral choices to avoid being remembered as the “house with the purple bathroom”.  Consider adding color with accessories if necessary.
6. Replace burned out bulbs so the home shows bright and airy.
7. Knock down cobwebs, they tend to show up in corners and light fixtures.
8. Laundry Rooms are important.  They should be fresh and organized.  This will make the room look larger and more inviting.
9. Closets are equally important.  They should be orderly, shoes lined up instead of piled, and hanging clothes should be hanging the same direction.  Remove seasonal clothes.  An organized closet will appear larger than a cluttered closet. 
10. Wash your windows, window sills and door tracks.
11. Re-caulk any areas that the caulk has dried up or pulled away, especially in Kitchens and Baths.
12. Dust the ceiling fans, they tend to get overlooked.
13. Clean out the refrigerator and run your dishwasher, believe it or not people do look.
14. Beware of unpleasant odors.  This is a huge turn off whether it is pet odors, cooking odors or an overdose of air freshener.
15. Replace worn throw rugs with fresh, attractive replacements.  This allows you to add a splash of color as well as define an area.
16.  Polish chrome faucets, they will sparkle.
17. If you have a challenging room, stage it.  It is a problem when a buyer can not figure out how to arrange a room.  Solve the problem for them by staging.
18. Fix obvious problems.  If you know that everyone walking through the home will see a flaw in the home that will need to be repaired before selling, fix it before listing the home.
19. Create a focal point in every room.  This gives buyers something to focus on and fall in love with.
20. Concentrate on big impact rooms.  If they love these rooms, buyers will usually accept less than perfect conditions in other areas.
21. Hardwood is in!  It is warm, inviting, can make small rooms appear larger and is a top feature that buyers are looking for.
22. In areas that require a municipal inspection, you may want to consider having the inspection done in advance to address any items that may come up.
23. Consider getting an appraisal in advance if you are unsure of your position in the market.
24. Hire a quality agent.  Interview qualified candidates that have made a commitment to their profession, have embraced technology and are willing to go the extra mile to earn your business.
25. PRICE IT APPROPRIATELY!  The best agent and the best marketing in the world will not sell an overpriced listing.  It will certainly help you be positioned for a sale.  Have your professional Realtor review comparable sales with you to ensure you are positioned to sell in the shortest amount of time at the highest price. 

We hope these home selling tips are helpful to you.  If moving is on your mind or you are considering buying or selling Real Estate in the Metropolitan St. Louis and St. Charles County area, please visit us on the web at www.TheBoehmerTeam.com.