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    A Quick, Easy Decluttering Guide

    With more stuff than you probably need or want, decluttering before a move can seem overwhelming, but you don’t want to pay movers to move or store items you don’t use, love or want. Here are some tips to make it quicker and easier:

    Start Small

    Label moving boxes for selling, donating or throwing away. List items you want to sell online or take them to a consignment store. When the donation box is full, take it to the Salvation Army or non-profit of your choice. Throw away broken items you’ll never repair and stained clothing you’ll never wear.

    Pick a Schedule

    How many days till you move? Devote an hour a day, a day to a room, or a weekend per floor – whatever your schedule permits. The goal is to make moving day faster and easier.

    Pack as You Go

    As you declutter, move items that you want to keep but don’t need right away like out-of-season clothes or holiday dishes into moving boxes. Tape them closed and label what’s inside and what room it should be moved to in your next home. Store the boxes out of the way, in the garage, basement, or a storage facility.

    Let Go

    You may be holding onto things you don’t want because you feel guilty. What you paid for the item or who gave it to you as a gift doesn’t matter. Let the feeling of obligation go.

    Decluttering has its benefits. You’ll be better organized and feel far less stress.

    Surprising Features Homebuyers Want in 2022

    Virtual interior designer/home stager Stuccco.com compiled a wish list from numerous online sources that experts say homebuyers want in 2022. Many popular features aren’t what home sellers may think. Before you upgrade your home to sell, consider these top five homebuyer preferences:

    • Laundry rooms
    • Exterior lighting
    • Ceiling fans
    • Patios
    • Walk-in pantries

    Laundry rooms. Homebuyers don’t want to go down to the basement to do laundry, so make room somewhere on the first floor. Include a built-in table for sorting, room for a steamer and drip-dry area.

    Well-lit outdoor living spaces. Homebuyers want exterior lighting (87%), patio (82%) and a front porch (81%), a rear porch (75%) or a deck (75%). Landscape lighting adds a luxurious glow to outdoor spaces as well as an extra element of security.

    Ceiling fans. With the sudden rise in energy prices, it’s not surprising that homebuyers want lighting fixtures to do double duty as an air conditioning aid, especially when cooling or heating a larger home.

    Walk-in pantries. Homebuyers want to be able to stockpile food and paper goods. They want to open the door to the pantry and see at a glance what’s on hand.

    Homebuyers also prefer two-sided kitchen sinks over farmhouse sinks (81%.) They want a full bath in the living area (80%) and kitchens open to the dining room for less formal dining (85%.)

    Homebuyer preferences are changing home design. The National Association of Home Builders reports that new home buyers want bigger homes which now average 2,524 square feet.

    Don’t Let Them Bug You

    August is typically the hottest month of the year making it an ideal time to be outside for fresh air and sunshine, but mosquitoes and other flying biting stinging insects can take the fun out of it. You want to enjoy your outdoor spaces, so what can you do? Here are some fun facts and tips about these pests.

    In studying how wind affects mosquitoes, researchers found that mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide which humans and pets emit. When you turn on a fan to blow on you, it disperses the concentration of carbon monoxide, which is why fans are such a good deterrent for mosquitoes.

    Male mosquitoes like nectar, not humans, but the females seek blood to nourish their eggs, using receptors and vision for cues such as body heat, perspiration and skin odor to find a potential host according to Off.com.

    What doesn’t work to repel mosquitoes, says Science.org are citronella candles, bracelets containing herbal extracts and sonic mosquito repellant which claim to use high-frequency sound to drive them away. Instead, try spray repellents with DEET and products with lemon eucalyptus oil.

    Wasps, like honeybees, are most aggressive in late summer and windy or cloudy days when they can’t forage for food and they can sting multiple times, warns Terminix.com. Yellow jackets can live in holes in the ground or in hanging nests made of leaves, stems, mud, and bark. They love sweets, so only serve drinks in open containers. Use repellents with mint or clove oil.

     

    Which Remodeling Projects Bring the Most Joy?

    In 2020, Americans spent $420 billion remodeling their homes, according to a new report by The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI.) They remodeled to upgrade outdated worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials (30%), add features and improve livability (20%), and just enjoy a change (16%.)   While most consumers (83% of those surveyed) said they would have remodeled regardless of the pandemic, most found that they were happy with the results (57%), satisfied (39%), and felt a sense of accomplishment (69%).

    Homeowners reported that the best results from remodeling were better functionality and livability (35%), durability (22%), and beauty (14%). A whopping 84% of homeowners said they enjoyed their homes more than before they remodeled.  Although most projects were completed with standard quality fixtures and materials, and some with better-quality installations, NAR and NARI calculated the consumers’ typical “Joy Score” at 9.6 out of a possible 10.

    So which renovations brought the most joy to homeowners? Interior projects that received a perfect Joy Score of 10 include: painting entire interior of the home, painting one room of the home add a new home office, hardwood flooring refinish, new wood flooring, a closet renovation, insulation upgrade, and attic conversion to living area, said the report.  Scoring 9.8 were complete kitchen remodels and partial kitchen upgrades. A basement conversion to a living area scored a 9.7, and a bathroom renovation scored a 9.6. Adding a new laundry area and a new master bedroom earned a 9.5.

    Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival

    Great Smith Mountain Lake Event Coming Up- 32nd Annual SML Wine Festival!  Tickets are on sale now! 🤩 🍷   Click the image below for more information! 

    Smith Mountain Lake is Clearest Lake in Virginia per Virginia Nature Article!

     

    The Clearest Lake In Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake, Is Almost Too Beautiful To Be Real

    Smith Mountain Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the state of Virginia, and it provides just as much beauty as it does square footage. Sprawling across 32 miles, the lake and its surrounding park offer swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, trails, and an amphitheater with performances.

    In the 1960s and ’70s, the area around Smith Mountain Lake was extremely rural. Now it’s become a developed recreation hub garnering large numbers of visitors every year.

    Article Credit: Posted in Virginia Nature June 26, 2022 by 

    Looking for Fireworks around Smith Mountain Lake?

     

    July 1st – 2022 Rotary Independence Festival at Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount
    July 2nd Parkway Marina Fireworks 
    July 3rd Mitchell’s Point Marina Fireworks 

    Here is what the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber has listed for this weekend:

    Built in, Outdoor Bar-b-que Grills

    Building an outdoor grill in your backyard can help you enjoy pleasant weather while providing your family with delicious meals. Whether you do it yourself, hire a landscape architect, or get a kitchen specialist to design your outdoor kitchen, you’ll take full advantage of your outdoor space and the comforts and entertainment it can provide.

    There are many items to consider when installing a built-in outdoor grill, including location, ventilation, type of grill, and features. Will you need to install a gas line to the grill? Will there be water available? Do you plan to have other kitchen functions such as storage, an ice maker and an outdoor dining area?

    You’ll want to locate the grill at least 10 feet from the house. Use fire-retardant materials such as stainless steel, stone, or bricks for countertops and retaining walls. Most grills have lids to retard fire, but where the smoke blows are also crucial. The BBQGuys maintain that proper ventilation sucks out scorching heat and keeps smoke and odor away from you while you’re grilling and your guests. It also vents grease, fumes and discoloration from your outdoor kitchen surfaces which reduces fire hazards.

    If you prefer gas, contact your gas company to find a reputable gas contractor and get more than one bid. Charcoal and propane tank grills offer more flexibility in where you install them. Make grilling outdoors more convenient by finishing out the area with amenities like built-in trashcans, side burners, sinks and a drink station.

    Don’t forget to check into your local building codes; there may be rules you need to follow, and your project could require a building or plumbing permit, depending on the scope of your plans.

    2022 Kid’s Equestrian Camp at The Water’s Edge!

    Are looking for something great for your kids or grandkids to do this summer?  Check out this great opportunity The Water’s Edge Equestrian Center has to offer for kids of all ages!

    Beautiful Sunsets at Smith Mountain Lake

    Beautiful sunsets at smith mountain lake dock - jane at the lake

    There is a wealth of opportunities to witness glorious sunsets at Smith Mountain Lake. When the sky gets painted in gradually deepening hues of orange, pink, and purple, it’s a natural phenomenon you wouldn’t want to miss. Here are some suggestions on how to best enjoy Smith Mountain Lake’s most beautiful show.

    Go on a night cruise. Whether you’re aboard the historic Virginia Dare, chartered a boat, or you’re on your own craft, going on a night cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the sunset. It’s awfully romantic too, making a perfect setting for a date. Whether you’re alone or with a significant other, cruising at night allows you to watch the last of the sun’s rays glisten across the lake as it rests behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a wonderful way to cap off an amazing day at Smith Mountain Lake.

    Watch it from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Labeled as one of the country’s most scenic drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway is definitely a place to be to enjoy the sunset. You can take a drive to the parkway and just stop on the side of the road or hike up either one of the parkway’s peaks (Sharp Top, Harkening Hill, and Flat Top) for a more majestic, bird’s eye view. You can do this by yourself or with your favorite group of friends. For an even more relaxing time, bring a cooler loaded with your favorite drinks. Amazing views, great friends, and your favorite cold drink – it’s the perfect combination. Life is good.

    Take part in Hickory Hill’s Sunset Saturdays. Hickory Hill Vineyards is one of the best places to get your wine fix. Located in Moneta, the vineyard hosts their aptly-named Sunset Saturdays. Enjoy the splendor of the setting sun in the vineyard with your favorite bottle of wine and fare as different artists fill the air with good music. For more information on this event, log on to http://www.smlwine.com/calendar/sunset-saturdays.