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Pets and Holiday Food

Wednesday, November 15, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


The time of year is upon us when we gather together and indulge in our favorite foods.  It’s so easy to slip Fido or Kitty a little scrap now and then, but it may not be such a good idea.  See this list for human foods that may or not be good for your pets. 

 

  • 1. Turkey may be an ingredient in some pet foods, and a bite or two of cooked, white meat is a nice treat. The skin, however, contains fat as well as spices that can cause an upset stomach, or worse, pancreatitis.  If they get turkey, remove the skin. 
     

  • 2. If you’re celebrating with prime rib, or ham, a few bites of meat without herbs or spices is a nice snack.  
     

  • 3. Bones of any kind can be a real danger because of splintering, and could cause choking as well as a perforated digestive system. 
     

  • 4. Gravy is a yummy treat poured over their regular food, but limit it to a few tablespoonsful.  Gravies are usually too salty for animals, and are high in fats. 
     

  • 5. Before you turn your baked sweet potatoes or pureed pumpkin into pies, pass a spoonful or two along as a treat.  Both are rich in vitamins and high in fiber, and are a great anytime snack. 
     

  • 6. Onions are a definite no--they contain thiosulphate, which is quite harmful to dogs and cats. 
     

  • 7. Stuffing may not only be too carb-rich, but the onions, garlic and spices that most stuffing’s contain can be toxic your pets. 
     

  • 8. Going sugar free? Make sure your artificial sweetener doesn’t contain xylitol, and if it does, make absolute certain your pet doesn’t eat anything it’s an ingredient in. 
     

  • 9. Baked goods contain too much sugar, or may have chocolate, which shouldn’t be fed to either cats or dogs in the slightest amount.  Call your vet if you think they may have eaten anything containing chocolate. 

 

We usually end up going a bit overboard on Christmas, but it doesn’t have to include our pets.  The extra people in the house and hustle and bustle in the kitchen can be a bit much for pets, anyway.  Provide a quiet corner for them so they can get away for a while.  When you sit down for your meal, make sure guests know not to feed the four-legged beggars with the sad eyes. 

 

If you really want to include your beloved canine in your family meal, try this little doggy casserole from The Bark, and cats will enjoy these turkey jerky nibblers that are easy to make! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.   

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Break These Housekeeping Habits

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


Not all housekeeping habits are good habits, especially things that we think save us time or money.  Turn over a few new leaves to make sure your home is reflecting your good efforts to keep it clean. Let these tips get you on your way: 

 

  • Dirty Dishes Leaving unwashed dishes in the sink is not only the perfect equation for bacteria, but an invitation for insects. If you’re not washing dishes daily, rinse them and place them in the dishwasher. 
     

  • Dry Dusting  The best way to remove dust, dirt and allergens is dampening a microfiber cloth with a mixture of water and castile soap. Save the furniture polish for polishing. 
     

  • Towels and Washcloths Hanging towels and wet washcloths to dry instead of piling them in a basket or (worse!) on the floor before laundering will inhibit the growth of bacteria and mildew. 
     

  • Cleaning Solution Directions Using too much or too little cleaning product is simply a waste of your time and money. If something is especially dirty, using more than the recommended amount can just attract more dirt over time. Repeat the application or add some elbow grease instead of too much detergent. 
     

  • Dirty Cleaning Tools Rinse mops and allow to dry completely or use washable mop pads to stop bacteria growth. Vacuum cleaner filters should be kept clean or replaced.  Your broom can even use a dip and swish in hot water and detergent, rinse, and dry. 
     

  • Vacuum Last Our grandmothers have taught us to dust last while doing chores, but most cleaning experts suggest vacuuming last, as what dust you’ve stirred up will fall to the floor, and the vacuum will clean it all up. 
     

  • Procrastinating Waiting until mold appears on the leftovers in the fridge or the ceiling fan blades get fluffy with dust just causes more work for you. Check leftover food regularly and throw it out and clean your fan once per month. Allowing cleaning jobs to go unchecked simply causes you to have to work harder and could make your home unsafe. 

 

No matter what your schedule is, take a few hours each week to set a housekeeping routine, and stick to it! Your home should be your personal haven, and having a cluttered, dirty home is not going to give you much peace.  Get the family involved, assign age-appropriate chores, and you’ll soon break those bad housekeeping habits. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.  

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Caring for Your Laminate Wood Flooring!

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


Choosing laminate wood flooring for a home is a really good decision for a homeowner.  Laminate flooring has come a long way since its beginning a few decades ago, with better quality, ease of installment, and varieties to choose from--you can even get laminate to look like stone! Caring for this manufactured product can be tricky, but with the right cleaning and care, it can look great for years to come.  

 

Protecting the Floor 

 

  • 1. Laminate flooring isn’t real wood--it’s an image of wood adhered to fiberboard, with a bottom that is moisture damage-resistant. It is covered with a clear protectant that is hard enough to protect it from scratching and pitting. 

  • 2. Although it is made to prevent moisture damage, it still needs to be protected from liquids.  Any spills need to be cleaned up as quickly and thoroughly as possible. 

  • 3. The top layer of sealant is there to protect the floor, but if the dining room chairs are constantly pulled from the table, put some felt pads on the legs to prevent any scratching. 

  • 4. Other pieces of furniture that don’t get moved often still may need something under the legs, and felt pads or newer style plastic casters work perfectly for heavier pieces. 

  • 5. High traffic areas are best protected with area rugs and runners.  Be sure to use a gripper mat or tape underneath rugs to prevent slipping. 

  • 6. Even though laminate is great for homes with pets, they can still get scratched in extreme situations.  Keep pet’s toenails trimmed to prevent this. Pet accidents need to be cleaned immediately to prevent moisture damage and stains. 

  • 7. Some toys with sharp edges can dent or pit the floor, so they should be used with care, or in places protected with area rugs. 

  • 8. Sometimes an area of the floor can get damaged, and the best solution is to call the manufacturer to get their advice.  Most even sell repair kits for small DIY jobs. 

 

Keeping It Clean 

 

  • 1. The first defense in keeping any floor clean is a mat on both sides of a door that leads outside.  A “no shoes” policy could even be put in place to keep even more dirt out, as well as preventing scuff marks. 

  • 2. Removing dirt and small particles is best done on laminate floors with a microfiber cloth or mop.  Sweeping with a broom can scratch the surface over time, and usually doesn’t get all of the dirt, anyway.  Many styles of reusable and washable cloth floor cleaners are available and are perfect for laminate. 

  • 3. Electric sweepers are also excellent for vacuuming dirt and pet hair.  Make sure any vacuum-type sweeper has a gentle brush motion.  Too heavy, and it can scratch. 

  • 4. Mopping can create streaks because of too much detergent in the cleaner. The best solution for mopping grime or sticky spills is using two parts warm water, one part white vinegar, a few drops of dishwashing liquid, and a drop or two of lemon essential oil.  The essential oil helps keep the vinegar odor down, but that smell fades quickly.  Mix this in a spray bottle, and spray each area as you mop.  The less liquid used, the better for the floor. 

  • 5. In case of streaks, use a microfiber cloth or cloth diaper to buff the floor.  These are best for a great shine on the floor. Never use dusting spray, as it can cause floors to be slippery. 

 

 

Laminate flooring can be an asset to a home, without the expense and extra work a hardwood floor can bring. Without a lot of extra cost, the flooring can look new for many years, as long as attention is paid to its care and cleaning.  

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.   

 

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Organizing Your Home Made Simple

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


It is almost time for the seasons to change once again as we move from fall slowly into winter.  As the seasons change many people find that they like to get things around their home organized to make the transition seem smoother.  Organizing your home can be made simple with a few of the following tips. 

  • One way to organize your home is to get rid of “junk drawers” throughout the house. Many times folks tend to throw things they don’t know what to do with into a drawer that soon becomes a drawer full of junk. While these drawers DO keep the junk out of the eye of those that come to visit, you just never know when someone may open one of them looking for utensils or other useful items and you may be embarrassed by them.  Simple fix…..throw out the junk once and for all and have no more junk drawers in your home!
     
  • Another great and simple way to organize your home   is to organize and de-clutter your pantry.  Typically there are items in your pantry that you haven’t used in years and they end up just sitting there taking up space.  This is very true for old canned food items that tend to have a shelf life of forever.   Once you get this simple organizing of your pantry complete, be sure not to let it get messy again by throwing away things you don’t use periodically. 
     
  • Yet another simple way to organize your home  is to use all of your closet space for things you will actually use instead of just getting things out of the way.   If you have a lot of games for example why not make a game closet just for the purpose of storing all of your family games.  This type of closet will make it more likely that your family may have a game night once a week because you will know exactly where to go to find the games. 
     
  • Keeping all of the books in the house in one spot is another great organization tip.  If you have various bookshelves in your home, you can utilize them for other purposes and keep one for only books.  Organize each shelf for books from each family member if you have a lot of books.  

​​Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins 

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Ideas and Tips for Brightening Your Home

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

As you already know, the “fall back” time change is coming soon.  This means that it will likely be getting dark before many of you get home from work in the evenings.  Brightening up your home will become more important to you during this time of year as most of us don’t like coming home to a dark house after a long day at work.  Below are a few ideas and tips for home lightening that may be helpful to you. 

  •  An easy way to brighten up your house without having to purchase any new lighting is to add mirrors to reflect the light you already have in your home.  This is a great way to make a room seem brighter and lighter that won’t cost you a lot of money.  You can find decorative mirrors anywhere but if you really don’t want to spend a lot, try looking at your local yard sales for a steal of a find. 
     
  • Another idea for  brightening up your home  is to install dimmers on the lights you already have.  This is a good way to make a dimly lit room into a brighter situation easily.  When you want more light all you have to do is to turn the dimmer switch up instead of buying more lighting for a particular room. 
     
  • If you want a room to appear brighter, a great way to do it that is to add a few fake windows with some led lightning.  This would be a good idea for a basement room that may likely look quite gloomy otherwise.  This particular idea is a bit “out of the box” but it is a good one none the less. 
     
  • Paint can also go a long way to making a dark dreary room look a bit brighter.  You don’t always have to paint a room white to make it look brighter however, grays and other neutral tones will do quite well. 
     
  • If you want your home to look brighter and not so dark, why not add shear shades instead of heavy curtains.  This is a good tip for those of you who love the look that window treatments give to a home without the dark dreary feel many curtains can give. 

These are just a few ideas and tips for brightening up your home.  There are many others like these to choose from but these will get you started thinking in the right direction.  

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins.

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First Time Homebuyers Mortgage-Related Junk Mail

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

The stress and excitement of buying your first home has subsided, the boxes are unpacked, and your mail is being forwarded to your new address–the house is yours! So why are you getting mail regarding your new home purchase? Our guide will help you discern between what is relevant, and what you should toss: 

 

  • Why are you even getting all these unsolicited offers? Your home purchase is public record. All sorts of house- and mortgage-related “companies” are combing through those records daily, obtaining your information as soon as the deed is filed. 
     

  • Many of these offers come with your lender’s logo or name in bold print. Comparing contact information on paperwork you already have will help discern if it is a legitimate offer from your mortgage lender. 
     

  • Life insurance offers come in droves after purchasing a home, and you are the only one who can decide on what insurance company you choose. Contacting a reputable insurance agent in your local area is probably your best choice. 
     

  • Mortgage protection insurance (MPI) offers are sent to you as well. Such insurance sounds great, as it will pay off your loan in case of death. However, while your loan amount decreases, your MPI premium stays the same, so it would be a better financial decision to have a life insurance policy that is large enough to pay off your mortgage and take care of any other expenses. 
     

  • Many home warranty offers will inundate your mailbox as well. Do a little homework if you are interested, and your buyer agent can probably recommend a few companies. 
     

  • Do not just toss or shred anything you suspect may not be legitimate. Read the entire mail contents, look for spelling errors, generic information, and disclaimers–read everything, especially the fine print. Call your lender if you are not sure about something that looks official. 
     

  • If the former homeowner continues to receive mail at their old address, mark it “Return to Sender,” place it back in the mailbox, and allow the USPS or the company sending the mail to locate the former residents address. 

 

One great and secure tool you can use to stop receiving anything related to your finances (refinancing offers, credit cards, etc.), is OptOutPreScreen.com. A joint effort of credit companies Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, this site is free to sign up for five years or permanently.

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins.

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Easy Halloween Decorations

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

Halloween is quickly becoming the most popular holiday in the US.  You don’t have to break the bank for decorations, though.  There are many ways you can prepare for the fun-filled holiday with inexpensive, everyday items. 

 

  • 1. Save gallon milk jugs, and wash them out thoroughly.  Use permanent black marker to draw ghostly faces on the sides, then add a few rocks or marbles for stability. Place a string of battery-powered LED lights inside, and place the jugs along your walkway or steps for a ghostly path to your door. 
     

  • 2. Wrap white crepe streamers around your front door mummy-style. Cut two big eyes from white and black construction paper, and tape them to look like they’re peeking out of the strips.  Instant spooky! 
     

  • 3. Pumpkins are cheap and plentiful this time of year. Using child-safe carving kits, have the kids get in on the fun of carving a jack-o-lantern.  http://pumpkinlady.com has over 700 free templates to download and print. 
     

  • 4. Use black construction paper to cut out basic ghost figures, bats, owls or cats.  Tape them to your windows, and when the lights are on at night, the silhouettes can be seen from outside. 
     

  • 5. Make it look like specters are watching over your yard.  Keep a few paper towel or toilet paper roll tubes. Carefully using scissors, cut different eye shapes in them.  Tape glow sticks inside the tubes, and hide them in your shrubs and bushes. 
     

  • 6. Grab a straw wreath, a few bags of faux spider webbing and plastic spiders at your local dollar store. Wrap the wreath with the webbing, and criss-cross a few strands across the middle for a cobweb effect. Hang or hot glue the spiders in different places around the wreath, add a Halloween bow, and hang on your front door. 
     

  • 7. White tights can be repurposed as spider eggs.  Cut the tops off, leaving the legs open.  Add a baseball or softball to the toe, and glue or hot glue plastic spiders to the “sac.” Hang the eggs from trees (away from walking areas) or light fixtures for a really scary look. 
     

  • 8. Make some ghostly guests out of unused tomato cages.  Turn them upside down, and push a large <span class="SpellingError SCXW40208206" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" data:image="" gif;base64,r0lgodlhbqaeajecap="" 8aaaaaaaaaach5baeaaaialaaaaaafaaqaaaiilgaxcchrtcgaow="=&quot;);" border-bottom:="" 1px="" solid="" transparent;"="">styrofoam ball down onto the ground wires.  Add lights around the cage, and drape a piece of white cloth or old sheet over the cage. 
     

  • 9. Add plastic snakes, spiders and insects purchased from a dollar store to your welcome mat. 

 

Spooking up your yard for Halloween doesn’t have to cost a great deal.  Whether you want frightening or fun, decorating with household or inexpensive dollar store finds can be a family project.  When the big night arrives, make sure you have plenty of candy, turn on your porch light, play some creepy music, and enjoy the evening. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Reader's Digest, rd.com

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Finding and Fixing Possible Dangers at Home

Wednesday, September 27, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

Your home should be your haven.  Sometimes, though, things can happen, and it may not be quite as safe as you’d like.  Let’s look at some possible dangers in your home and find out how to fix them. 

 

  • - Unfortunately, fire is a very real danger.  Every day things like burning candles, cooking, and using appliances can cause fires.  One of the main appliances that starts fires is the dryer.  Keep your lint screen collector clean, even washing it in warm water and mild detergent every month, and use a lint collecting brush to clean down into the lint trap vent.  Once a year, unplug the dryer, remove the back and carefully vacuum any lint that has settled in the back around the motor and wiring. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are imperative to have. 
     

  • - Check and maintain areas of your home that are possible fall risks.  Make certain handrails are secure, steps are free of debris, and that brick or concrete steps aren’t crumbling, and wooden steps are sturdy and free of rot.  Secure area rugs with non-skid tape and keep bathroom floors dry by using easily washed bath mats outside the tub when bathing. 
     

  • - Older homes can have lead paint under layers of newer paint.  If you plan on removing paint from woodwork, and your home was built before 1978, purchase a lead-testing kit at your local home center or hardware store. In the case of a positive test, find a specialist that will remove the lead paint safely.  Find more information at epa.gov/lead or call 800-424-LEAD. 
     

  • - Speaking of older homes, have an inspector look at the plumbing for lead or polybutylene (PB) pipes.  Lead is obviously not safe to use for drinking water, and polybutylene pipes can rupture. 
     

  • - While not all molds are extremely dangerous, many people suffer from allergies to molds.  Most feared is black mold, though there are different types of black mold.  As soon as you see mold anywhere, clean it up using non-ammonia cleaner and water, or bleach on hard surfaces like your bathroom.  If the mold continues to grow, it would be best to call a pro who can look for the cause and make repairs. 
     

  • - Asbestos is only a dangerous substance if it’s disturbed.  If you notice deterioration in an area that you know is made of asbestos, or you’re getting ready to remodel, seek a local professional that can safely remove the offending material. 

 

This isn’t a financial subject, but it’s best to have an emergency savings for things like this that can come up, and you won’t have to worry so much about paying for the repairs when it comes to that.  Correcting problems as soon as you find them is best for you and your family’s health and well-being.  Home safe home is a home sweet home.

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: mentalfloss.com

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Making an Offer is a Process

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
by Tucker Robbins


While you’re on the house hunt, every property you see just might be “the one.”  It’s a good idea to learn the different aspects of buying a house before you get into them.  Many discover that after they’ve made an offer of purchase, the process isn’t exactly as they’d envisioned! You’ll feel confident when you get to this step by following this guide: 

 

  • - The offer itself isn’t just a price you’re willing to pay for the property; closing date, closing cost contribution, contingencies, or the earnest money deposit are all things that are normally included when the offer is submitted to the seller. 
     

  • - Talk with your agent before you come to your initial price, because you don’t want to insult the seller with a very low offer, nor do you want to pay too much for the house. 
     

  • - Although you won’t always get a complete answer, knowing why the house is on the market can give you some leverage, so ask anyway. Some sellers are in a time crunch and are eager to sell and may take your first offer. 
     

  • - Keep in mind that there are legal aspects to writing a proposal.  Your Realtor will know all the aspects of this part of the process and will take you through each step. 
     

  • - It is very likely that the seller won’t accept your price if it’s less than what they’re asking.  If they want to sell and have no higher offers, they may choose to send a counteroffer.  The counteroffer step is nothing to worry about, if the negotiations are getting you somewhere.   
     

  • - Some sellers will counteroffer with their original asking price.  If this happens, you may have to walk away, as they have shown they’re not interested in moving away from what they want for the property.
     

  • - Don’t forget that you may not be the only buyers interested in the home!  Realtor.com® offers some advice on how sellers might handle multiple offers and some ideas on how to make your offer stand out. 

 

When your offer is accepted, it’s exciting, but there is still work to do!  Hopefully, you have pre-approval for a mortgage, making the buying process a much smoother one.  There are added costs associated with buying a home, so be sure you have your finances in order.  

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: jetdirectmortgage.com

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Neighborly Advice in New Castle County DE

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
by Tucker Robbins

In days gone by, when someone moved into the neighborhood, casseroles, cookies, local information and cookout invites were offered by residents up and down the street.  With so many differences in today’s society, some people never even see their neighbors, let alone know their names.  Even if we don’t have “good” neighbors, let’s see how we can be one: 

 

Generally Speaking 

  • - First and foremost, keep your lawn and home maintained.  Don’t spend your first Saturday morning in the neighborhood mowing grass or hammering away at a project at dawn, but keeping your yard neat and your home looking good will let the other residents know you care about your home and community. 
     

  • - Noise plays a factor, especially if homes in the neighborhood are close together.  Keep music, children and animals quiet after 10 PM, and if you’re having a backyard gathering, take it inside if guests are still with you late into the evening. 
     

  • - Pets are a part of our families, but not everyone loves your frisky pup like you do. Keep dogs and cats off your neighbors’ property, and install fencing in the backyard if it’s not already there.  Clean up after your pet on walks. 
     

  • - Find out when trash pick-up is and take your cans to the curb on time.  No one wants to see (or smell!) overflowing cans or bags of garbage piled along the curbside.
     

Getting to Know You 

  • - Once you’ve gotten partially settled, if you see someone outside, introduce yourself.  Even if the neighbor doesn’t seem to want to be best friends, you can at least share what you do for a living, your name and phone number, so they’ll know your general schedule and how to get in touch with you if necessary. 
     

  • - Weather permitting, host a front porch gathering, and invite your neighborhood.  Offer light refreshments for the meet-and-greet, and have it in the afternoon before dinner time so no one feels pressured to stay.   
     

  • - Create a social media neighborhood group or join an existing one.  It’s a good way to see what’s going on, as well as getting to know those who don’t live in your immediate vicinity.   
     

  • - Communication is key when it comes to your neighborhood.  Let your closest neighbors know when you’ll be away, having a tree removed, planning on new construction, when you’re having a party, (invite them, whether they show up or not!), garage sale, or any other activity that can affect them and their surroundings. 

 

When you’re on a friendly basis with everyone on your street, it sure makes living there a lot easier.  Keep in mind the golden rule to treat others the way you’d like to be treated, and others will see that you’re respectful and friendly.  You’ll be helping not only keeping your community a great place to live, but living peacefully amongst your neighbors.

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

Photo credit: cbjenihomes.com

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Tucker Robbins
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
3838 Kennett Pike
Wilmington DE 19807
(302) 777-7744 (direct)
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