Last-Minute Open House Cleaning Tips

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Your open house is almost underway! You’ve already made sure your home is warm and inviting and you’ve taken time to carefully stage it. Now, here are some last minute cleaning tips to quickly spruce up any areas you may have missed.

Prep for Pets 
You may be ready for your open house, but your four legged friends might have other ideas. Perform a last minute inspection of any areas your pets frequent to make sure they haven’t left an unpleasant surprise somewhere in your home. Also, pet hair has a way of showing up unexpectedly. Vacuum carpets and sweep any floors with a rubber broom to clean up debris that may have gathered since your last cleaning.

Check Your Entryway
Although you may have painted your front door and meticulously cleaned your home’s entryway in the days before your open house, recheck it on open house day. Be sure to check for marks on your door, damaged plants, disheveled door mats, and unexpected messiness that may have accumulated in front of your home since you last inspected it.

Clean Up After Kids
If children happen to be in your home during the hours leading up to your open house, you may want to check for additional messes before potential buyers arrive. Look at your lower windows for finger smudges, which can be cleaned quickly with a cleaning agent and microfiber cloth. Also check your doorway for dirt, and look at the lower part of your walls for crayon streaks or other stains.

Ready Your Refrigerator 
While easy to overlook, the inside of your refrigerator should be as neat and clean as the rest of your kitchen. Make sure it isn’t full of half consumed food or overstocked to the point where it looks cluttered. Additionally, any fridge magnets should be removed to further depersonalize your home for potential buyers.

Care for Your Lawn
Last minute removal of lawn debris can make your home more appealing and may attract more buyers. Depending on the season, eradicate lawn clutter with a leaf blower, a rake or a snow blower. If you’re too busy for exterior home cleaning, consider hiring someone to do it for you, so you can focus on the interior of your home.

These last minute cleaning tips may help your home shine brighter on open house day.

7 Creative and Quick Dining Room Updates

With so many dining rooms being converted into part of the living room or kitchen these days, dining room design has kind of fallen by the wayside. But if you’re one of the lucky homeowners to have hung on to a formal dining space, you’ve got an opportunity to make some amazing modern updates. Here are 7 affordable ways to breathe new life into an old dining room:

#1 Perk things up with paint.
Are your dining room walls still the same color they were when you moved into your house 10 years ago? If so, there’s a good chance the color’s a little past its prime. In fact, it may also be doing an injustice to your furniture and the updates you’ve made in adjoining rooms as well. Refresh the walls with a paint shade that makes you feel comfortable and cozy. The room will reflect that feeling.

#2 Modernize the lighting.
Are outdated chandeliers and lamps gathering dust in your dining room? Consider sending them packing and installing some recessed lighting and pendants in their place. Pendant lights, in particular, come in a wide variety of styles and colors sure to add some new pizzazz to your space.

#3 Repurpose another room.
If your dining room is located in an undesirable space — a cramped corner of the house away from the kitchen, for example — pick a new place for your table and chairs. Put them in the kitchen, if you have the the space. Or, place the dining table somewhere right in your living room, where there’s easy access to the TV and stereo. You should always feel comfortable during a meal, and being confined to an area you don’t enjoy doesn’t contribute to that feeling.

#4 Add some visual appeal.
Visual appeal doesn’t stop at paint and lighting. It’s also important to consider how wall decor may increase the interest and comfort of the room. Blank walls may make it easy to zone out and focus on your meals, but your guests will surely enjoy looking at something a little more interesting. Depending on your budget and the size of your dining room, consider hanging potted plants and colorful pieces of art. Just be sure to balance wall decor with other elements in the room so your space doesn’t feel like it’s cluttered with stuff.

#5 Throw in a rug.
One of the worst sounds to hear is a chair scratching against the floor as you go to get up from the dining table. So fix the issue. Add a rug underneath the table and chairs to make things soft and cozy. Choose a rug that isn’t too thick with fibers. Otherwise, your chairs can get stuck and twisted. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that the style and color of your rug complement the rest of the room.

#6 Use dividers.
Many newer homes combine kitchen and dining spaces. If you want to create a dedicated dining space, think about incorporating a room divider. It’s much cheaper than installing a wall — and you can add shelves, plants or a sliding door to further divide the two spaces. Plus, the flexibility of the divider allows to revert back to the bigger space any time you like.

#7 Build in.
How’s your dining room designed? Do you have a table that sits in the middle with four chairs around it? If you want to make the room more functional — and create more storage in the process — think about ditching the clunky furniture and opting instead for built-ins like bench seating, china cabinets and buffets. A professional can create custom built-ins to suit any style.

5 Common Questions Potential Home Buyers May Ask

After seeing your home online or during an open house, potential home buyers may have additional questions for you, the homeowner. Being knowledgeable and honest with potential buyers may expedite your home’s sale. Below are five questions you should be able to answer during the selling process.

What is the status of…?
Although you’ve probably listed the vital information about your home’s integrity in accordance with state law, there’s some information that may be absent from those forms and of general interest to potential buyers. They will likely want to know the quality and age of items such as your roof, appliances, plumbing, windows, central heating and cooling, and garage doors. Research your home’s various parts to know this information for potential home buyers.

Has your home ever had a pest problem?
Potential buyers may want to know if your home is prone to infestation by rodents, insects, or any other irksome little creatures. You’ve most likely managed any pest problems before putting your home on the market, but it’s important to give an honest account of your pest history if asked.

How’s the neighborhood?
This question is intentionally open-ended to let you share any pertinent information about the neighborhood that potential buyers should know. Buyers may be curious about neighbors, schools, restaurants, entertainment, safety, and other general facts. Be sure to highlight the stellar aspects of the neighborhood and shift emphasis away from any negatives.

Where is…?
Certain features of your home may be harder for buyers to locate. They may want to inspect items such as the water heater, sprinkler controls, thermostat, pool filter, and circuit breaker. Show potential buyers where these can be found and how they’re maintained.

Is there anything else I should know about this house?
This is your chance to share all the information you wish you’d had known when you moved in or things that may not have been covered yet. You could share things like when trash day is, the nearest hospitals, the best way to care for your lawn and garden, or which neighborhood dogs are your favorite.

Be ready to answer any question a potential home buyer asks. If you don’t know the answer right away, be honest about it and be sure to get back to them promptly.

A Little Education Never Hurts!

The best method available to home sellers to learn their home's current value so they can select the best sale price is a CMA 

Everyone who has ever sold a car knows they have to first find out how much it is worth and what people are willing to pay for it. It's easy to gather the information you need to set a price from newspapers, the Blue Book, or online used car sales sites. When you've gathered this information you can then set a price that potential buyers will find attractive. It's really pretty simple and requires very little pricing expertise. 

If you want to sell your home, it's not so easy and it's certainly not simple. The value of your home is much more difficult to predict and the information available to home sellers can be untrustworthy. Online home valuation sites are fun to play with, but they are based on past sales, not current market factors. Newspaper listings give you some information, but houses are usually so different that it's hard to compare. 

The best method available to home sellers to learn their home's current value so they can select the best sale price is a CMA, or Comparative Market Analysis. CMA is the term real estate agents use when they conduct an in-depth analysis of a home's worth in today's market. 

The best part about this CMA, It's FREE! 

When should I ask for a CMA? 
If you don't get a CMA before you list your home you might try to sell it for the wrong price. Setting the price too low means you'll get less money for your home; setting it too high means it might not sell at all. Every real estate agent in the country will want to complete a CMA on your home before helping you sell it. Sellers who haven't yet chosen a real estate agent often ask several agents to complete CMAs so there is opportunity to meet different agents and to see how they work. 

How is a CMA prepared? 
First, an agent will walk through your home. The home does not have to be in perfect condition. However, property condition does affect price, so if you plan to do work on the property, let the agent know. At this point the agent may recommend improvements to increase your home's value. 

Second, the agent will research information about comparable properties in the area, usually using a real estate industry resource called the Multiple Listing Service. This includes:

• Properties that have sold and closed within the last 12 months
• Active listings - properties currently for sale
• Pending sales - listings that have sold but not yet closed
• Expired listings - properties that did not sell during the listing period

Lastly, the agent suggests a probable selling price. Don't be surprised if a CMA results in a price range rather than a set price, particularly in markets were there are price differences due to property size, age, architectural style or physical condition. 

What can you expect to see in a CMA?
A completed CMA is presented in the form of a report, which includes the selling price, detailed information about your home, and the comparable properties that were researched to determine its value. Because the price derived from a CMA is somewhat subjective, some agents may include brief statements on the perceived selling points your home. 

A CMA is not an appraisal.
A real estate appraisal is a comprehensive evaluation performed by an independent professional appraiser. With a CMA, the agent's experience in the business and familiarity with the local area can affect the accuracy. Typically, a CMA prepared by an experienced agent with good knowledge of the local market is right in line with your home's appraised value. A CMA can therefore be a very useful tool in a real estate transaction. 

When selling your car, an incorrect price might cost you a few hundred dollars. If you set the wrong price for your home, you could lose tens of thousands of dollars. Do your homework and ask a real estate professional for a Comparative Market Analysis to ensure you get the most value for your home. 

There is such thing as Winter Curb Appeal!

How to Up Your Winter Curb Appeal

Regardless of the season, your home should make a good first impression on potential home buyers. Here are some helpful tips for boosting your home’s curb appeal during the winter months.

Light It Up
With less sunshine and shorter days, adding outdoor lighting to your home will help illuminate it and could make it more inviting to buyers. Lighting the pathway to your front door and highlighting any features unique to your home may increase your home’s curb appeal.

Plan for Snow
Depending on where you live, you may get some (or quite a bit) of snow during winter. Your home’s aesthetic could benefit from having a neatly cleared driveway and walkway. It may also be helpful to avoid piling up shoveled snow into unsightly mounds while clearing it. Try using salt to melt snow and checking weather forecasts to prepare for heavy snowfall.

Add Winter Plants
Don’t let winter weather mean the end of your garden. Adding evergreen or winter-blooming plants can inject color into the white and gray winter landscape and make your home stand out. Flowers such as witch hazel, winter jasmine, and pansies can thrive and add color all winter.

Eliminate the Ice
Ice can be a problem in terms of both safety and curb appeal. Icy grounds can be a slipping hazard and hanging icicles can detach at any moment. Moreover, sharp and dangerous looking icicles attached to your home’s roof and gutters don’t make your home seem inviting to home buyers. Be sure to salt your walkway and safely clear ominous looking icicles.

Update Your Door
A front door that appears to be in need of a fresh coat of paint or refurbishing can deter home buyers. Your front door should be in pristine condition, and in the winter months it could benefit from a splash of vibrant color to juxtapose the sparsely colored winter season.

Don’t let winter freeze up your home’s curb appeal. Follow these helpful tips and you may make your home as appealing now as it is the rest of the year.

4 Common Open House Mistakes Made by Home Buyers

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by CENTURY 21 | December 21, 2015 at 4:00 am EST

When you’re looking for your dream home, how do you ensure that you’re getting exactly what you want? One easy way is to stop by open houses in your neighborhood. It’s easy to make a mistake during the complicated open house process, so here are a few things to avoid when attending an open house.

Don’t get distracted by the current state of the house.

Paint colors, carpets, and cluttered rooms can distract you from the way a home looks. When you enter a home and you don’t initially like the way it is decorated, don’t let it stop you from appreciating the architecture of the house. Ignore what’s inside and imagine it decorated with your furniture and photos.

Don’t believe everything you hear.

The homeowners you interact with may very well be interested in helping you find the right home, but at the end of the day, do your own research. You wouldn’t buy a used car without a history, so treat your potential new home the same way. Make sure you know everything, from past damage, to potential for any new problems in the future.

Don’t forget to ask questions.

On that note, make sure that you ask a LOT of questions. Don’t simply walk into a home and sign on the dotted line — that’s not the best way to make a huge investment. Ask questions about everything, from the current condition of the home, to details about the neighborhood. You’ll want to have as much information as you can before you purchase the house.

Don’t try to figure it out on your own.

Open houses can be confusing, so don’t walk in unprepared. The perfect weapon is having your agent by your side! Agents are trained to attend open houses and see what is going on. They’ll know what to ask and look for even if you don’t.

Most importantly, don’t let an open house overwhelm you; it’s meant to be an easy way to see the home you’re interested in. This list can help you take the first steps in preparing yourself for your open house visits and ensure that you find the perfect place for you and your family.

Baby Proofing The Hoidays!

How to Baby Proof for The Holidays

by CENTURY 21 

If you’ve got a little one this holiday season, don’t make the mistake of being unprepared. This time of year brings about unique potential dangers for him or her that you might not have considered. Follow these five tips on how to baby proof your home for the holidays.

1. Skip the tablecloth. Infants are known to be grabby, and the hanging end of a tablecloth is too tempting to resist. In one quick tug, your tyke could accidentally pull down the entire dinner table setting, including your dishes, silverware, and candles. Yikes!

2. Keep flowers out of reach. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias aren’t actually poisonous, but there’s still no reason for your child to ingest them. Keep all plants out of reach. They’re not food, and you never know which one may make a particular individual sick.

3. Don’t wrap with ribbons. Stick to wrapping paper only when giving gifts. Leftover ribbons can easily fall on the ground, presenting a choking hazard for you baby. Additional tip: Gather up and throw away wrapping paper as soon as it’s discarded. Again, you never know what your child might put in their mouth.

4. Secure your tree. Fasten your tree to the wall and consider blocking off the area with a baby gate because after all, the tree is for looking, not for touching. If you want to bring your baby closer, do so under strict supervision, and don’t let them tug on any branches.

5. Hang ornaments higher. Hang all ornaments out of reach on the top half of the tree, just in case your tot does get closer to the tree. Smooth, shiny decorations will be sure to attract their attention, and all too many are easily breakable. If you feel like your tree is a bit bare, opt for paper or felt ornaments on the lower half.

These simple changes to your holiday decorating routine may make for a safer celebration for your newest family member.

New Homeowner Tips – 5 Do’s and Dont’s

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If you’ve recently purchased a new home, or if you’re about to, you’ve likely given a lot of thought to all of the responsibilities that come with it: mortgages, insurance and — sooner or later — renovations and repairs. While the responsibilities can seem overwhelming, owning a home is exciting and rewarding too. You just need to know what to do and what not to do to avoid unexpected expenses.

New Homeowner Do’s:

There are a few home maintenance projects that should top the to-do list of every new homeowner. According to a recent article, these include:

1. Checking your HVAC system: If your HVAC system wasn’t serviced before you purchased the house, inspect air filters and other components for anything in need of repair or replacement.
2. Inspecting gutters and downspouts: Make sure that your gutters or downspouts have been cleared of debris. If they’re clogged, moisture could build up and leak over into your roofing or foundation — a predicament that will most likely require costly repairs. Also look for cracks or holes in the system; these could cause the same issues.
3. Look for leaks: Air and water leaks — whether in your insulation, your pipes or your walls — can lead to a number of issues in your home. They’re the perfect entry for pests, and they also offer a prime opportunity for air to seep out, which can force your HVAC system into overdrive. Fix leaks immediately with weatherproofing, caulking or more insulation material.
4. Assess insulation: Attic and basement insulation are crucial to protecting your roof and foundation from moisture, pests and interior temperature fluctuations. If there are holes, missing pieces or other issues with your insulation, you will need to have it augmented or replaced. You can install some kinds of insulation yourself; others require the help of a professional.
5. Upgrade appliances: Depending on the age of your appliances, now might be a good time to upgrade to newer, more energy-efficient models. Replacing one or more of your appliances will pay back in utility bill savings, whether you replace your washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave or refrigerator.

New Homeowner Dont’s:

There are also some new homeowner mistakes you should avoid. Making these mistakes could lead to the need for costly repairs and renovations down the road:

1. No routine care: While the house might have passed a home inspection, you need to keep it up to snuff; if you don’t, you could find yourself paying for major repairs within a year. Routine care includes seasonal maintenance like roof inspection and repair, gutter cleaning, deck repair and cleaning, and so forth. Ignoring these areas or waiting another year before attending to them could lead to more trouble — and money spent — than necessary. Don’t wait.
2. Renovating too soon: Although you may have considered a kitchen or bathroom remodel going into the purchase of your home, it’s best to wait at least one year before you renovate a room. You need to get to know the house and confirm that there aren’t more crucial repairs that need your budget and attention first. Otherwise, you could get halfway through your remodel only to find that your foundation is in serious disrepair — and that you have no money to fix it.
3. Overspending: As a new homeowner, you have a lot of costs to factor into your budget, including mortgage payments and an increased utility bill. If you invest in remodeling projects or landscaping in the first year — without giving yourself some time to get used to your new budget — you could end up in the red. Spend a year getting to know your new home budget, then think about spending money on improvements.
4. Dreaming too big: If you don’t have the money to remodel in the first year but want to do it anyway, you might try to DIY. We’ve all watched the DIYNetwork, HGTV — programs that make it all look simple. But we have to be realistic. These DIYers are experts who have worked in the field for years. Most homeowners have no prior experience, and our projects generally show our lack of expertise. If you attempt a DIY remodel, you will likely spend thousands to have a professional redo your work.
5. Taking the lowball offer: When you start hiring contractors for home projects, you’re going to run into those who quote far below the average bid. While you might be tempted to hire these pros, DON’T. As the saying goes: you get what you pay for. More than likely, you’ll end up hiring another pro to fix a shoddy job.

Conclusion

Being a homeowner comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot of opportunity — some of it exciting and some not so much. It’s important to keep up on routine maintenance, as well as be prepared for everything that may come your way before you invest in major home improvements. Take this quiz to see whether you’re ready to be a new homeowner or need a little more time to prepare.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Homes!

Wouldn’t it be nice if homes came as “one size fits all” to save you from the decision-making process? Unfortunately, you can’t try on different living spaces as you would jeans or shoes. To help out, we’ve created a list of the advantages and disadvantages of different homes.

Apartment or Condo

An apartment or condo is one unit of a larger building. The difference between them is that you rent the former and buy the latter. Deciding which option is better for you is an entirely other conversation — check out our renting vs. buying calculator for more. Regardless, both options offer some pros and cons regarding physical living space.

Advantages:

– Maintenance and repairs are covered.
– Utility bills can be lower because you may not be responsible for heat or water.
– Amenities, such as security and fitness centers, may be included.

Disadvantages:

– Privacy isn’t promised — sounds can travel through walls, floors, and ceilings.
– Parking can be a hassle if the building doesn’t have a designated garage.
– Space is limited, and a yard will be communal if it exists at all.

Townhouse

A townhouse is a house connected to others in a row, usually with space for a small front lawn or backyard.

Advantages:

– Communities are tight knit due to close quarters.
– Home Owners Association (HOA) covers maintenance through their membership fee.
– Prices are typically lower than standalone units.

Disadvantages:

– Renovations need approval from the HOA.
– Some walls are shared with neighbors, which decreases privacy.
– Space is limited, though more available than when in an apartment.

Detached House

A detached house is a single structure with its surrounding property, though it can vary in terms of architecture, size, and location.

Advantages:

– Privacy, space, and independence are at a maximum.
– Value usually increases over time, making a house’s purchase more like an investment.
– Storage space allows for more material possessions, whether for hobbies or bulk buys.

Disadvantages:

– Maintenance can be costly and time-consuming.
– Cleaning is a bigger job.
– Prices may be higher than other types of homes.

Compare your family’s needs to what’s here and you may be able to find your perfect fit!

Setting up for a Winter Sale!

If you happen to be one of the many selling your home this upcoming snowy season, Read the tips below... That 1 extra little thing may be just what's need to help your Buyer fall in love!

CC~

Studies Show You Can Sell In The Winter!!

More often than not, homes in the winter will sell for more money,” says Paul Stone, a Redfin real estate agent in Denver. “There’s less inventory to choose from.” He advises winter sellers to be flexible because it’s hard to predict how long a given home will take to sell and the number of showings could depend on the weather.

Redfin analyzed two years of sales, from 2011 to 2013, in a handful of large cities and found that homes listed in winter sold a week faster and closer to the asking price than those listed in other seasons. The analysis, which included traditionally cold cities like Chicago and Boston, showed homes were also more likely to sell within six months of appearing on the market.

Here are 13 tips to sell your home in winter:

Shovel snow off the driveway and walk. If you can’t keep up with the shoveling on your own, hire a service. And make sure there are no patches of ice. It’s important that prospective buyers can get to your home safely.

Create a cozy feeling. When people step in out of the cold, grab them with the warmth of your home. Apple cider on the stove, fresh-baked cookies, soft music and a fire all contribute to an inviting atmosphere.

Use tasteful holiday décor. If your home looks like a Christmas card, it will help convey the warm feeling of a Hallmark commercial. “The houses that are all dressed up for Christmas … they show beautifully,” Shanahan says.

Clean gutters, and make sure there are no places ice dams can develop. You want to demonstrate to a prospective buyer that you are meticulous about maintenance and that spring won’t uncover surprise issues that require repairs.

Bring in the light. During the day, that means opening curtains and turning on lights inside. In the evening, you may need to turn on all the lights – inside and outside – to give your home a welcoming feel.

Get trees and shrubs trimmed. While the winter landscape is not as inviting as the summer landscape, you want to keep your yard and the flower beds, trees and shrubs that surround it clean-looking.

Put evergreen plants in pots around the door. A touch of green goes a long way on a gloomy day. Ask your local nursery which plants would do best in your winter climate.

Paint the front and garage doors. A layer of paint on doors and trim, if needed, can make the house look clean and neat. Even in winter, curb appeal matters.

Make sure the path to the lockbox is clear. If you are using a lockbox for real estate agents to enter your home, make sure they can get to it without tromping through the snow.

Take pictures on a nice day. Most buyers start their home search on the Internet, which makes the photos a key tool for selling your home. Be prepared to wait for better weather to get better photos. “A beautiful, sunny day with nice, clean snow makes it attractive,” Shanahan says.

Price your home right. If you overprice your home, agents and buyers are likely to assume you’re not serious or unrealistic and won’t even bother to look at it. Yes, you can always lower the price later, but the longer the home stays on the market, the more people are going to think something is wrong with it.

Offer information about systems that can’t be inspected. If the roof is covered by snow, an inspector may not be able to get a good look at it. Offer prospective buyers information about when the roof was installed and any previous inspections. Offer to put money in escrow for repairs that can’t be completed in winter.

Be prepared for weather delays. Snowstorms can delay inspections or even the transmission of documents if the people involved can’t get to work. But, Shanahan, says, the rise of electronic transactions has cut down the amount of driving required to close a deal.

For more details, visit here!

Nothing I had as a child!

Had to share this... Just way too Awesome!Landen's teacher takes pics and vids and produces some cool little vids! ...
Posted by Chris Carson on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Supper on Game Night!

MONGOLIAN CHICKEN RECIPE

We’ve said goodbye to summer now that Labor Day weekend is over. Kids are back at school and summer clothing is being pushed in the dark end of our closets. See you next year warm weather, it’s been a grand summer! With a busy schedule ahead, I think it’s fair to say that no one wants to cook anything too complicated this week. An easy chicken dish like this Mongolian chicken recipe is just what the doctor ordered! Sweet and packed with umami, it’s a tasty dish that only takes  15 minutes to make from start to finish.

WHAT IS MONGOLIAN CHICKEN?

The question should actually be ‘what is Mongolian beef?’, which is a popular dish served in Chinese-American restaurants. You have probably seen it on the menu at P.F Changs and/or ate it as a kid in your local Chinese eatery. The sweet and savory combination was created to cater to the American palate as true authentic Chinese food rarely is sweet. Made with sliced steak (usually flank) and chopped scallions (other vegetables such as onions and bell peppers can also be included), the dish is cooked in a sauce consisting of soy sauce, sugar, hoisin sauce and chilies, or something similar to that flavor profile.

WHY IS IT CALLED MONGOLIAN IF IT’S NOT FROM MONGOLIA?

From what I gathered it’s called Mongolian beef because of the way it’s made, not because of the way it tastes. In 1951, the method of stir-frying meats and veggies on a large, open surface (similar to teppanyaki) first appeared in Taipei, Taiwan. This method reminded them of Mongolian barbecue and their traditions and thus, is loosely based on that. Just like General Tso’s chicken, it looks like the term got lost in translation somewhere along the way despite never having made an appearance in China!

What makes Mongolian chicken so delicious is partly due to the way the chicken is prepared. Instead of cooking it bare in a fry pan, the chicken is tossed in cornstarch and left there for a few minutes. This tenderizes the meat and makes it velvety and moist – yummy! The chicken is then added to a pan, cooked with ginger, garlic and a simple sauce made of soy sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar and toasted sesame oil.

The result is perfection: tender chicken pieces that are nutty, sweet, savory and the perfect companion to sliced green onions! Mongolian chicken is another quick recipe I have recently added to my lazy/busy day menu because it’s so satisfying yet requires very little prep work in the kitchen. It’s not a messy recipe to make and the flavors are familiar enough to please most people’s palate.

Serve Mongolian chicken with plain white rice and a side of hot and sour soup, chicken egg foo young, orJapanese cabbage salad.

5.0 from 2 reviews

MONGOLIAN CHICKEN RECIPE

See a Collection of Classic Appetizers

 

 

PRINT

PREP TIME

10 mins

COOK TIME

5 mins

TOTAL TIME

15 mins

 

This is a quick and delicious Mongolian chicken recipe that's both sweet and savory. A healthier alternative to the classic Mongolian beef preparation with ingredients that pack a punch!

Author: Pickled Plum - Caroline Phelps

Recipe type: main, Asian

Cuisine: chicken, easy

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast chopped bite size
  
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• ½ cup low sodium chicken stock
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 4 scallions, chopped bite size on the bias

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a bowl, mix chicken pieces with cornstarch until all the pieces are evenly coated.
2. In a pan over high heat, add oil and when the oil is hot, add chicken. Cook until chicken is cooked through (about 4 minutes).
3. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add soy sauce, chicken stock and brown sugar and cook for 3-4 minutes, until sauce thickens.
5. Turn the heat off, add sesame oil and scallions. Stir well and serve with white rice.

More on this recipe and others, click here!

C~

It's Never Too Early Prepare For The Day You Buy Your Home!

Bad Credit + Insurance = Higher Payment

You’re probably already aware that credit scores are a major factor when you’re buying a home, because your credit score affects the interest rate you get on your mortgage. Considering how big home loans are, a few credit score points could translate into a slightly higher rate, which ultimately can add up to thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan.

Of course, there are many more expenses that come with buying a house than taking out a mortgage. Pretty much everyone takes out homeowners insurance, which can—on average—tack on nearly $100 or so to your monthly homeownership expenses. On top of that, you could be paying higher insurance premiums just because you don’t have a good credit score (here’s an explanation of what qualifies as a “good” credit score).

Across the U.S., homeowners might pay 32% more in annual homeowners insurance premiums if they have fair credit, as opposed to excellent credit, according to a survey from InsuranceQuotes.com.

If you have poor credit, your homeowners insurance can cost twice as much as it would if you had excellent credit. Most states allow insurance underwriters to consider credit history when determining home insurance premiums

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Glad he's sticking around!

It's so great to know that he's sticking around! Now he's gotta live in the weight room and stop at the BR Diner to help pack on a few pounds!C~http://carsonsrealestateblog.blogspot.com/

Posted by Chris Carson on Friday, September 11, 2015

Time to start thinking Fall!

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11 Needed Steps To Get To Closing

11 Steps to selling your property

Selling a home isn’t quite as simple as sticking up a ‘for sale’ sign and waiting for the buyers to come to you. Here is a quick overview of the various steps involved in selling a property. You can also download our handy checklist of things you need to do when selling a house.

1. Deciding to sell. Consider what is happening in the broader market and what is best for your particular situation. Also decide if you are better off buying a new home before or after you sell your current home.

2. Choosing an agent. Your agent will be in charge of advertising, showing and completing the legal requirements of selling your property, so choose carefully. Find out more about choosing an agent here.

3. Next you’ll decide how you want to sell. You and your agent will work out a plan for listing, showing and selling your property.

4. Determining your selling price and property inclusions comes next. Your property’s location, size, age and features will be assessed, as will the current market and area trends. Click here and ask for a Free Market Analysis of your home!

5. You’ll sign an agreement with your agent. This legally binding contract will detail any commissions, the estimated sale price, duration of the agreement, advertising costs, process and much much more.

6. Detailed paper work will need to be completed conveying specifics for the property.

7. Advertising and showing your property. This generally involves photographing your property, drawing up floor plans and writing your online ads. 

8. Going on the market. Prospective buyers will contact your agent and arrange times to view your property, or attend your open homes.

9. Sale and negotiation. Your agent will mediate between you and buyers to reach a mutually acceptable price. 

10. Under contract. Both seller and buyer’s lawyers and banks will work out the details of the sale to ensure both parties meet all legal and financial requirements.

11. Settlement day. All going to plan, you’ll relinquish the keys and legal rights to your property in exchange for the balance of payment from the buyer or their bank. Congratulations, you have sold your home!

  This rough outline contains just a few of the larger steps needed to complete the real estate process.