Cheryl Karr - Your Solid Source Realty Agent

  A home purchase is likely the biggest investment you will ever make. To protect your investment and your personal health and safety, you want to be aware of red flags that could signal significant problems with the home that you wish to buy. Structural red flags are the most serious because they threaten the integrity of the home. Look for large basement floor cracks and bumps. Doors and windows that are out of alignment, along with steps that have separated from the foundation, are all indications of settling of the home. Mold-related issues are often detected in older homes with deferred maintenance and may not have easy fixes. Keep an eye out for patches of black mold in the house as well as any mold-related odor, unventilated bathrooms or bubbled paint. Even an untrained eye can uncover red flags associated with destructive pests. Powdery residue around wood elements, grinding sounds, and hollow areas in floors and walls are indicators of wood-destroying pests. Droppings a...

  Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it's a relaxing one!

  Your home is your oasis. A place to kick back and relax from your day. So, why not invest in some items that can boost the zen in your home? Check out the tips below to help you achieve ultimate bliss! Introduce calming scents. A calming scent, like lavender, valerian, camomile, and bergamot, can do wonders for easing stress or anxiety. Find candles that incorporate these scents or purchase essential oils and diffusers, like this one from URPOWER that has over 44,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Drown out the noise. Having trouble sleeping due to distracting outside noises? A sound machine might be the solution. Like this one from Letsfit , most of them offer several sounds to choose from including natural noises, fan sound effects, and white noise. Wake up more naturally. Studies have shown that waking up to natural light can allow you to wake with more energy and in a better mood. However, if you can’t wake to real sunlight, a wake-up light, like this one from Phil...

    The holiday season is here and you've set a gorgeous table . While everyone is always on their best behavior, mistakes happen. Glasses can spill, plates can be dropped, and candles can be left burning a little too long. Don't let these messes ruin your night. We reached out to the experts at the American Cleaning Institute to fix many of the stains you might encounter this holiday season. Red Wine Immediately: Soak or sponge stain in cool water; then use a dry paper towel to blot it dry. Afterward: Treat with a prewash stain remover (some are formulated ...