Latest Articles by Gary Ashton

B & B - How About Running A Bed and Breakfast?

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

For those home owners already in the bed and breakfast business, this is a busy time of the year. Hanging out the signs again, putting the 'Vacancy' sign in the window and generally sprucing up the front of the house.

In fact, many of us are thinking of smartening up the front of our homes as warmer weather beckons and the stores start bringing in plants. Everyone is ready for the spring, and people will be pulling out their maps again, ready to hit the road.

If you live in an area that attracts tourists or is a through road to somewhere that does, you could have a lucrative option right on your doorstep. It is not too difficult to run a bed and breakfast business, all you need is a really nice room (with an en suite) and a smile at the door.

If you can't design your own web site or join up with a communal B & B web site in your area, then try the old fashioned method. These days, there are many towns that have their own 'tourist information centers' that will also carry details of bed and breakfasts.

If the one in your area doesn't offer this service, maybe they would appreciate the suggestion of it from you! Different tourism offices have different systems already set up. Some tourist offices book for the customer, take a deposit for you, of which they keep 5% and the customer pays you the balance on arrival.

Other information centers carry photo albums with pictures, location, phone number and prices of nearby B & Bs. They will permit use of their phone and make a booking immediately. In this case, you must ask for their credit card number and keep your fingers crossed!

It is better if you finalize the business end of the transaction on arrival, so that your guests can leave whenever they want. Do not leave the cash part until they are leaving. Have a guest register book on your hall table for them to sign into upon arrival, and deal with the cash at this time; make sure you have specified 'cash only' on your advertisement.

Ideally the room that you will plan for them will be large and there will be space for a nice arrangement of small fridge, table and 2 chairs, coffee machine and microwave. Breakfast can be continental or full cooked breakfast but you must specify in your advert which you will be offering (or if you will offer either).

Obviously the continental breakfast is easiest: A well-stocked freezer can supply hot croissants, bread rolls and and hot muffins in a linen-lined basket taken to their room. Butter, jam, honey and marmalade may be served on the side with a platter of cold meats and cheese slices.

For a full breakfast you will need to know both their order and their chosen time before they go to bed at night (i.e.deal with it on arrival and ask them to leave their choice on the hall table). This can be served in their room, or if you have a formal dining room that will be private, you can choose which you prefer.

Running a B & B can be interesting and fun; you may meet people from all over the world who will return each year and even perhaps, become friends! If you find you enjoy it enough to develop it as a business, your realtor will be happy to help you search out a bigger property!

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If you're interested in finding the nicest Nashville homes, visit NashvillesMLS.com to search for Brentwood TN MLS listings.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Secret of Success (When Selling Your Home)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Spring is here and all those homes are going to be up for sale on the market whatever the newspapers say about the realty gloom! So how can yours stand out from all the rest? What is the secret of success? Is there a secret of success? Yes there is: the Secret of Success lies in the letter 'S' - of course!

The ones you will focus on are: are: the Sale price (it must be right), the Steering of the sale (choose your realtor carefully), the Star power of your house (every home has one), and the Smile (positivity pays off).

The Sale price: Your real estate agent can tell you all about selling prices both for your type of home and in your area. He will also advise you (if you ask) of small improvements you may wish to make to maximize your chances.

There are also other ways to make your home more attractive that will cost labor rather than money. Your agent can also advise you on this - the art of 'home-staging'. This means that you will make your home look like a model show home. Don't laugh; there are certain techniques to this that are easy to follow.

For instance, here is an example: remove all family photos, clear your show shelves of almost everything, take away all those CDs spread all over the place, remove at least half your books from the shelves, take all your fridge magnets (and papers!) off the fridge, clear the sink and surrounds of everything - yes, you get the picture.

You will also need to get the exterior of the home to look like a model show home. This can be achieved by removing all the bikes and hockey sticks and ensuring that the garbage cans are out of sight!

Also small touches like buying a few blooms or small trees in pots by the front door will make a big difference. One easy thing to do is to make sure that all your pathways have a straight edge and that the lawn is cut short.

If you have the time for it, a recent survey on homes stated that any money spent in painting the house (around $1,000.) will be returned over 200% in the selling price. It is also a sure way to make the home look immediately clean and new.

The Steering of the sale will of course be done by your real estate agent. An agent is a valuable asset these days as most deals require mediation and balance; you need a realtor that is both perceptive and sensitive to the buyer's needs.

You are paying him to sell this house for you, and the buyers will be paying him nothing. The mere fact that he offers a free service to prospective buyers means that buyers flock to agents. Why wouldn't they? An agent will do all the legwork for the buyer and it is all for free.

Once he has found the prospective buyers the house of their dreams, he will encourage them to close the deal; and he will take all the pain out of it for them. It is obvious that an efficient agent is the most important part of your deal. Your job is to try and decide which realtor you think has the best negotiating skills and the best marketing skills and then hire him or her.

The Star power will be something that you and the real estate agent need to explore together: you know your house, he knows what sells. Decide what the Star power of your house is and exploit it. This will be something unique that your home has that others do not. Perhaps it was the reason that you fell for the house?

It could be a restful gazebo, or a luxurious bathroom, or a great tree house in the garden (even older buyers like tree houses for their grandchildren). Once you have decided what it is, do your best to maximize it.

If it is something like a fireplace in the master bedroom, make sure you have a log burning in it when the buyers visit. If you have a beautiful gazebo, make sure that the cushions are plumped and you can leave a book and a glass of wine or coffee cup there. Corny, I know - but also very suggestive of a much-needed peaceful haven just outside the kitchen door!

If you feel there is nothing unique in your home, why not buy a beautiful gazebo? It may be worth spending a few bucks to clinch the sale.

Of course, the last S is for that Smile that comes from knowing that you have done everything possible to show the house and it's unique qualities at its absolute best. Do not assume a worried look when the buyers come, give them a big smile as if you know that they will just love your home. Then they will view your home with the feeling that you have something that they want.

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If you're interested in finding the nicest Nashville homes, visit NashvillesMLS.com to search for Brentwood TN MLS listings.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Simple Plan for a Bedroom Makeover

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Why is it we decorate every room in the house, but seem to give the least attention to our own bedrooms? Maybe it's because it's a room that's easy to hide, it's not always on display like the kitchen or living room. Maybe it's because many of us find it hard to justify spending the money on ourselves when the whole family could benefit from that new TV or pool table.

Whatever the reason, this is a simple plan that will help you transform your bedroom without going to a lot of trouble or expense. Remember, this is a room where you spend a lot of hours, it should provide a comfortable, relaxing escape at the end of the day.

Color

Begin with a neutral color such as beige that will be easy to punch up with accessories. Later if you decide to do something a little more exciting, you can move your accents into another room.

Focal Point

Every room has a focal point or piece of furniture or artwork that you can build your design around.

Bedding

You can easily drop hundreds of dollars on expensive bedding, but you can save some cash by looking for sales on coordinated bed-in-a-bag sets from your local department store. There is something about a matching bedspread, sheets, pillowcases, and accent pillows that really pull a room together.

Window & Floor Treatments

Pick up some out-of-the-box blinds or bamboo shades and add a simple valance with colors from your bedspread. Depending on the style of the window, long, floor length drapes may be a better choice. Choose similar colors for an area rug as well.

Accentuate

Now is the time to make those beige walls disappear. Choose a couple colors from your bedspread start adding accent pieces. These can be any sort of decorative items such as, lampshades, a vase with silk flowers, mirrors, or artwork.

Furniture

If your bedroom furniture is not purchased as a set, make sure that your dresser and end tables match the bed as much as possible. It should be similar color or wood grain and style. As an alternative, create a contrast with your end tables by using a mirrored or metallic finish. It's glitzy and creates some excitement in the room. Make sure you've got plenty of storage space for books and magazines in your end tables.

If you have the space, buy a nice wood accent chair to place in the corner with a small table and a reading lamp.

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If you're interested in finding the nicest Nashville homes, visit our site to search for Brentwood TN MLS listings.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Websites for Do-It-Yourself Gardeners

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Some of the best gardening and landscaping advice is available write at your fingertips - on the web. Dozens of sites boast free plans, plant encyclopedias, gardening tips and articles discussing everything from Chic Chinese Pavilions to creating a French-Country Backyard. I've attempted to wade through this maze of information and have provided a short list of the top four I found most helpful.

Although they're not meant to be a replacement for an experienced landscaper, these sites will definitely inspire and give you a place to start. Happy gardening!

BHG.com
This website by Better Homes and Gardens has everything you ever wanted to know about gardens, planning, maintenance, lawns, plants, and everything green. They probably have one of the largest collections of free plans I've seen yet as well as some nifty tools to help you begin your landscaping journey. Their handy web tools include:

1. Plant finder - allows you to locate every plant imaginable, includes detailed description, growing info and color photo.

2. Garden plans - virtually hundreds of garden plans for every type of yard, climate, plant type (perennial, annual, container, shade, pond side, color theme, etc.). They also provide ideas for entire landscape themes such as entertaining, low-maintenance, small backyard or small front yard. Sign up for free and you can access detailed planting guides for all the plans.

3. Plan-a-Garden – This gives you an online planning guide where you can chart out your virtual garden, add plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers in relation to structures, decks, or fences on the property. You can even design walkways and add stepping stones, patio tables and benches.

GardenDesigner.com
This is a beautifully designed site providing amazing ideas for all types of garden and patio design. They feature start-to-finish slideshows of various projects, and lots of design and money-saving tips. They offer advice from architects and even discuss home security in the landscape. The only downside is all the Google ads you have to sift through on the pages.

HGTV.com
This site is full of timely articles and gardening tips and most of important of all, lots of big colorful pictures. In their article “Taking up Space” about how to fill large areas, they detail each suggested plant and include large images of each.

The section on landscaping discusses every type of garden, as well as patios, decks and paths.Where Bhg.com is the place to go for plans, this site has a lot of useful advice and "before and after" projects.

GardenGuides.com
This site isn't as pretty as the others, but it has a wealth of gardening and plant information. You can easily look up just about any flower, herb, tree, shrub, vine, etc. and access a lengthy information sheet that outlines characteristics, and all you need to know about planting them and keeping them alive. There are tons of "how to's" as well as garden recipes and a fairly active forum.

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If you're looking for the perfect Nashville Home, be sure to visit the Nashville MLS for the best Franklin MLS listings.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

The Science of Pricing a House

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Probably the most important part of selling a house is in the pricing. It doesn't matter how well a home is staged or marketed, if the price is too high, it's not going to sell. Compounding this problem is the length of time it remains on the market. After about 20 days, it's not a fresh listing and the interest begins to decline. The longer it sits, and then people start wondering if there is something wrong with the property.

There is a science to pricing a house to sell and surprisingly, different agents approach the task in a number of ways. These are some of the basic components of pricing a home, which generally come into play. However, some agents simply know their market and they have a gut feeling about whether a price is within range or not, and many times they are right on the money.

Start With a Comparative Analysis

Pull local listings from the last six months that align with your home's features, age, property and house size. Compare the selling prices and the differences in the various properties. For example is the home located next to a busy road, does it sit under hydro lines, or is it well-maintained? A similar size of home is a factor, but is not always the main consideration when determining a selling price. A smaller, well-maintained home with road appeal may sell at a higher price than a poorly maintained, older home on a bigger property.

Next, compare the asking prices with similar homes that have sold to see how well they were priced. Also check to see the average number of days on the market.

View Expired Listings

Look up any expired or pulled listings to see if there was a common reason that they did not sell. It may have something to do with the location, or an undesirable development that is planned in the area. It may have even had something to do with the broker and their particular marketing techniques.

Know your Competition

Tour some of the comparable listings for sale in your area to determine any edge they may have over your home. Compare the appearance, features and overall sense that you get when you enter the home. If you can't make the necessary changes in your home to compete, you may want to adjust your price.

Market Conditions

The ultimate price is going to be determined by the condition of the market. In a seller's market you may be able to ask a slightly higher price than in a buyer's market. Here you want to avoid turning away prospective customers because of an unrealistic asking price. In a seller's market, where inventory is increasingly scarce, you may be able to get away with adding an additional 10 percent above the last comparable sale.

In a more balanced market, your price may be set only a percent or two above the last comparable sale, depending on how long ago it was. Keep in mind, if you price lower, you increase your chances of receiving multiple bids where the final selling price may end up at market or higher than market value.

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If you're looking for the perfect Nashville Home, be sure to visit the Nashville MLS for the best Murfreesboro MLS listings.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Keeping an Eye on Your Neighborhood

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Neighborhood Watch programs are an integral part of many communities, and have been around since the 1970's. Although for a time their popularity dwindled, it appears that they are gaining momentum as more neighborhoods are becoming involved once again.

Neighborhood Watch programs are considered to be one of the most effective and least costly ways to fight crime. They can be a stepping stone to revitalizing a community and helping to maintain property values.

Organize your own Neighborhood Watch

-Form a planning committee of neighbors to discuss the idea, and invite a member of the local police department to attend. They will organize training sessions with the members and provide street signs announcing that Neighborhood Watch is present in the area.

-You'll probably need one coordinator and a number of block captains who are responsible for relaying information to residents and act as liaisons between the neighborhood and the police.

Get to know your neighbors, your children's friends, and who their parents are. Learn to identify what is considered abnormal activity in the area, such as a strange vehicle parked for a length of time.

-Target those people who spend a lot of time indoors, and request that they keep an eye on the neighborhood by looking out for children and reporting any unusual activities.

-Establish a regular form of communicating with members. Email is an effective tool to help members stay in touch and communicate any issues. It can also be used by the local police department to pass on any information pertaining to suspicious activity in the area.

-Organize clean-ups to rid the area of abandoned cars or junk and tidy overgrown lots which can contribute to crime.

-Ask residents to turn on their outdoor lights at night.

-Start a Block Parent program to help children deal with unexpected problems while playing or walking to school.

-Make certain the members are aware that they are not vigilantes; the purpose of the program is to observe and report suspicious activity to the police.

Ensure your continued success:

-Have regular meetings so that everyone gets to know each other and stays in touch.

-Link up with a larger group such as a community association.

-Go door-to-door to recruit members.

-Involve the whole community, young and old, renter and homeowner.

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This article was submitted for NashvilleMLS.com, your source for instant access to Nashville real estate. Contact the Ashton Real Estate Group for listings of the surrounding area, including Franklin TN real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Dome Homes: A Shelter from the Storm

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Weather systems across the country have become more and more extreme over the last few years. Depending on which part of the country you live in, you could be at risk for tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, or earthquakes. We've all seen on the news, people who live in vulnerable areas have their homes demolished by the elements, only to rebuild in the same spot, with the same type of house. Where is the logic? If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. This same principle applies to housing options in risky areas. If you know that your traditional stick-built house didn't make it through the last hurricane, what makes you think that by simply replacing it, it will survive the next one? And remember, there will always be a next one.

One solution is to look for alternative housing construction. The best home on the market for surviving natural disasters is the monolithic dome home.

While these homes have been around since the 1960s, they have yet to catch on in mainstream real estate markets. Much of the prejudice comes from the exterior appearance of these homes. They don't have flat walls, and angled rooftops. They look futuristic and, well, strange.

Construction and design technologies have come a long way though, leading to a revolution in dome home styling. You can design a home to suit your tastes, and protect your property at the same time.

In states like Florida, where tornadoes and hurricanes tear down conventional homes without hesitation, a monolithic dome home may be the ideal structure for both private homes and school buildings.

Made of concrete and reinforced by steel, dome homes are very structurally sound. The heavy weight of these structures makes them invulnerable to being lifted off its foundation by tornadoes. In addition to the strength that comes from using steel and concrete in the construction of the home, the dome shape itself also adds to the integrity of the building. Arches are naturally strong, architecturally speaking, and practically impervious to the elements.

Because there are no flat walls on the exterior of the home, there are far fewer seams along the side of the building. The fewer the seams, the less chance there is that water will penetrate the walls. This is particularly beneficial during tropical storms, when buckets of rain are hammering down on your property.

Flooding is also something that can be prevented, or at the very least, minimized with the proper design. You can raise your living area off ground level, leaving the ground floor to be used as a garage area. When the flood waters come, they go into your garage, but leave the rest of your home untouched. Alternatively, you can design your home with the garage on the bottom level, but archways on the front and the back of the house leave your garage open on both sides. Water simply runs straight through.

Not only are monolithic dome homes ideal for residents along the Gulf Coast, but they are also good for residents living on the west coast. Dome homes are earthquake resistant, which makes them ideal structures for California and nearby states that sit along fault lines.

For Midwesterners who experience electrical storms, dome homes are also a wise choice. The shape of the rebar cage acts as a conductor, and draws the lightning straight to the ground, thereby minimizing any damage that may result from a lightning strike.

Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and lightning; dome homes can survive almost anything. They are the ideal structure for anyone living in an area where nature is unpredictable and violent. The next time you're in the market for a new home, consider investing in a dome home, and keep your family safe.

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Provided by the writing team of OrlandoMLS.com. For information on Orlando Luxury homes, or have any questions about the Orlando real estate market, visit the OrlandoMLS.com website today.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Snow Sells Houses - Winter home-staging

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

As our favorite flowers get buried under the snow and the shrubs shed their greenery, it is all too easy for your house and front yard to blend in with all the other white places in your area. But when your house is on the market it is advantageous to have it defined and noticeable, looking like the pick of the bunch.

This is not so difficult to achieve, selling your home in the winter does have some seasonal advantages that can help your home appeal to a prospective buyer. By spending only a few dollars, you can transform your home into a Christmas card scene!

As your buyer turns into your street, he/she will already be assessing your home strictly from the outside view. For this reason, you will want the exterior of your home to look uncluttered. Remove all kid's bikes, hockey nets, etc. Be sure that you park your family vehicles in the neighbor's driveway, (ask first!) or around the corner. This will ensure that the buyer's first impression of your home will also include your garage doors and driveway. A spacious front yard gives a feeling of more privacy, so strive for this.

Be sure to remove all garbage cans and recycle bins from sight. This is critical if you have steps to negotiate when they are put out. Try to minimize any shortfalls that your property may have.

Another first impression for night viewings will be the light streaming out of your windows, making the home look welcoming - or not. A bright white light and a full view of the interior would not be desirable.

You do not want them assessing the interior when they should be admiring the exterior. From the outside you want to evoke a warm welcome into the home and a suggestion of coziness can easily be achieved.

However, first things first, make sure the windows are sparkling clean; this will be especially beneficial for day-time viewings when you want all the natural light to flood in.

For the evening viewings, place an amber or pink light bulb in at least one of your lamps, to give a warm ambience to your room. Keep the lighting low at first; once the bell rings you can add more lighting.

Another spot for lighting is the front door and this can also be a tinted bulb for a warmer welcome. Make sure that the front door bell works and that the door does not stick! Once something does not work, the buyer wonders what else is wrong with the house.

As most of the blooms in your yard are gone, it may look a little austere. Do you have any decorative pathways that can be swept to reveal their pattern? Of course the walkways will be shoveled free of snow, but if you actually sweep them with a yard broom, it will reveal the patterning and colors that you may have.

As you are trying to show your home to its best advantage, you may think about removing the shoveled snow to the back yard. If you want the Christmas card view, you can't have heaps of dirty snow piled up! Do be ultra sure that there are no slippery spots.

Discuss with your realtor whether or not to add accessories. For instance, would a few large pots of berry bushes look good grouped on the front lawn? Would the front door benefit from a three foot fir tree in a pot on each side of it?

Your walkways will be further enhanced by lamps placed along it, these are very reasonable and push into the ground in seconds. The snow will reflect the lamp glow and add to the curb appeal of your home.

Once you have gone to all this trouble, just hope that a blizzard does not arrive with the buyers!

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Written on behalf of Joseph Pinto. Joe is a ialist in the Chicago real estate area. He owns his own company and operates with his team to help you through each stage of the selling process. Review the Chicago MLS with Joe.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Hot Tips for Styling up Your Fireplace Mantel

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Fireplace mantels provide an ideal focal point in a room, but in many homes this results in a missed opportunity. Instead, the mantel becomes a dusty shelf covered with family photos and knickknacks. Sometimes when a certain area of the house has looked the same for a long time, we get used to it. We don't stop to think of what it could be.

The best way to begin a new creation is with a blank canvas. Clean everything off the mantle and dust off the cobwebs. Here are some tips for deciding what gets displayed and how.

Try leaning pieces of art and/or mirrors on the mantle as opposed to hanging them. Put the largest piece up first, slightly off center, and overlap the other pieces gradually. This gives the effect that you added them randomly through the years.

If you want to hang above a mantle, create a wallpaper effect by hanging a number of nearly identical pieces in a grid like fashion. They should start just above the shelf and go almost up to the ceiling.
Black and white photographs in the same style or by the same artist give a bold and dramatic effect.

If you’re hanging a simple painting or mirror above a fireplace, always include a sculpture or a 2-dimensional piece of art on the shelf to add interest.

Display collections by grouping them with other similar colors or themes. For example, a collection of bottles or a display of all white vases varying in shapes and sizes. Combining too many mediums will create a cluttered effect; as would a large collection of small ornaments.

Try an absence of decor for a totally different approach. Paint the wall behind the fireplace a bold color, and let that become your focal paint. Place a simple vase or a cluster of tea lights on the mantel.

The classic use of candles for decorating a mantel never goes out of style. Make it interesting by creating a variety of heights and sizes; for example, try balancing a tall vase on one end with a small candle grouping on the other. A tiered arrangement also provides visual interest, lit or unlit. A simple version is to display glass blocks, stacking them at varying heights and directions, and then place simple votive candles on the blocks.

Eye catching floral displays whether silk or real, with a showy vase create a stunning focal point on a mantel.

Try combining different textures or styles for a varied look. Decorating a modern fireplace with antique accents can be very dramatic.

If you find yourself stumped, try using the “Three Plus One” decorating trick. Choose three objects that share a common theme or color. For a rec room you may choose a framed sports print and some beer steins. For a beach home, you may consider some coral, seashells or a model ship. Whatever you choose, it should fit the theme of the room and reflect your interests. Line them up in an interesting way, perhaps bringing one forward or overlapping them slightly. Leave a bit of space after the last object so that you have some space at the end of the mantel. Next, select one larger object, generally at least double the size of your three objects, placing it at the other end of the shelf. It should have something in common with the other items; a common theme or color.

When it comes to decorating, don't get discouraged; you may not know exactly what the finished product will look like, but the important thing is trying lots of different approaches, and then suddenly you'll find the look that fits.

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This article was submitted by the writing team at Nashvillesmls.com, providing instant access to all Nashville real estate. Contact the Ashton real estate group for all area listings, including Brentwood TN real estate.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Outdoor Living All Year Long

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

While Tampa winter days might seem chilly to those that live here, in truth we are extremely blessed to live in one of the warmest climates in the United States. And because Florida gets most of its rain in the summer, the winter months could well be the prime ones for enjoying time on your deck.

Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air can be vital to our health and sense of well being. Thanks to a variety of innovative deck heating systems, the outdoors can be a cozier place. What better way to enjoy the end of a day spent doing fall yard-work or walking in the neighborhood, than curling up beside your deck heater and grilling something nice on the barbeque?

For homeowners, creating a truly usable deck space increases the value of your home, almost creating a whole other room in your home, but with far less effort than an actual interior renovation. So what are some of the options for making outdoor living comfortable?

A covered deck has the advantage of never getting wet, and of keeping some heat in. For some, a roof over their deck might take away that open-sky feeling they love, but for others, it is just what they want to keep it cozy. It's a matter of personal choice. Translucent plastic corrugated roof panels might provide the best of both worlds, and are relatively easy to install for a person with carpentry skills.

To keep the deck cozy, consider one of the many options for deck heating. There are several sizes of the lamp-post style of gas heater. Table-top heaters will give you about a 10-foot circumference of heat, while the taller heaters can give off about 20 feet of heat. These can be quite stylish, with an old fashioned design and made of sleek metal. These tend to come with safety features that shut them off completely if they get tilted, so there is no worry of it catching your wooden deck or wicker patio furniture on fire.

Infrared heaters are another option for deck and patio heating. Some are free-standing and some can mount to a wall. While they are a little less stylish than the lamp-post variety, they are surprisingly energy efficient and don't have any burning gas fumes.

If your outdoor space is cement, you may be able to have an outdoor, wood burning fireplace. There area variety of ceramic outdoor stoves. If you are considering this, check local bylaws to find out if wood fires are legal in your area.

With the variety of options available in deck heating and weatherproofing, you should be able to find an affordable and attractive way to make your deck or patio comfortable all year long.

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This article provided by the writing team of TampaMLS.com. If you're looking for Tampa, Fl real estate, and want to search our Tampa MLS listings, or other areas nearby, visit TampaMLS.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com