The Chris Fritch Team

As summer comes to a close, this time of year is ideal for homeowners to establish a fall home maintenance checklist. While warm weather still permits, be sure to pencil in these tasks, recommended by the National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA), before cooler temperatures set in.  1. Turn off exterior faucets.  Un-drained water in pipes can freeze easily, which will cause pipes to burst as the ice expands. Start by disconnecting all garden hoses and draining the water that remains in faucets. If you don’t have frost-proof faucets (homes more than 10 to 15 years old typically do not), turn off the shut-off valve inside your home.  2. Remove leaves around your outside unit.  The HVAC unit is likely your home’s largest operating system. The compressor part of your air conditioner is located on the exterior of your home and can become inefficient with debris and leaves blocking it. You can even use a vacuum or your hands to remove the debris from the botto...

The wrong window treatment can call attention to a poor view, mask a good one, and make a room look overall drab. Add in the right window treatments, though, and you could end up with just the right finishing touches to make your home look stylish and feel inviting. The problem is that window treatments can be expensive, and if you're just buying your first home or putting all your money into your next home, you're probably not looking for more ways to spend money - especially if you need furniture! This is why many people end up with paper shades for an extended period of time; at least they provide some privacy from nosy neighbors, right? View pics here Thankfully, there are a few unexpected and creative ways to make your windows look amazing without emptying what's left of your bank account. Roller shades "With a variety of price points to fit nearly any budget, roller shades can help realize your vision of custom designed window fashions,"  said 3 Da...

Can't find a home to buy in this crazy market? Go new construction! 5678 152nd Ln NW New construction home for sale in Ramsey MN  Conveniently situated in Harvest Estates (Ramsey's newest development) this one is for you! Another exceptional home is under construction by this award-winning builder! Top of the line features in this majestic home includes a 2 story foyer that leads to the heart of this house that is wide open!  Flowing from the great room to the dining room to the kitchen makes for an easy and comfortable living. The master suite is a sight to behold! A huge walk-in closet rests at the other end of this suite as you pass through the exquisite and private master bath. Laundry is a breeze on this level and is crazy convenient. 4 car garage to boot! Nothing has been overlooked here! Make it your own and choose your favorite colors! Brought to you by the Chris Fritch Team Keller Williams Classic Realty 763-746-3997 All of this is almost ready!! Give us...

WRITTEN BY LISA FREDERICK, HOUZZ CONTRIBUTOR POSTED ON THURSDAY, 03 AUGUST 2017 19:13         It's always tricky to prioritize decorating dollars, and I tend to funnel most of mine  to interior improvements: furniture, fabric, tchotchkes. But lately  I've been thinking that the outside of the house - and especially my front entry - deserves its share of the love. The entry may be the first impression of a home, and my entry is best described as mousy . Fortunately, jazzing up a front entrance doesn't have to cost a fortune. Try these eight strategies to create a showstopper entryway without blowing your budget. 1. Create a mini room . Here a bench with cheery outdoor pillows, a hanging paper lantern and a framed chalkboard combine to turn a plain entrance into a sitting space all its own - all without breaking the bank. Mix and match furniture to suit your home's architecture and style. 2. Spell out a welcome . A stencil, a ca...

Recently we have seen pictures on the news of what severe weather can do to our homes and properties in areas of the country recently hit by two hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. Homes around the country have been damaged or destroyed by fire, flooding and high winds.  Forms of severe weather events vary but all types can be potentially hazardous. Storms, including tornadoes, high winds, hail, lightning or excessive precipitation, are the most common types in Minnesota.  But, severe weather can include excessive heat and drought conditions that can spark wildfires, which be dangerous as well. While severe weather can't be prevented, there are some simple steps everyone can take to stay safe and protect themselves and their homes whenever severe weather threatens. These include staying informed, proper planning and preparing an emergency kit. Events like the flooding of the Minnesota Rivers in 2010 devastated communities. The first signs of a storm, like high win...

WRITTEN BY JACQUELINE FALLA As a house flipper, ensuring my renovated properties look great is very important to me. I love walking into homes with hardwood floors. From bamboo to cork to parquet, oak, pine, and mahogany, wood floors give an immediate feeling of quality and luxury. There are seemingly endless varieties, styles and textures of hardwood flooring to complement your home and the region where you live. If you're thinking of selling your home in the next few years or simply want to love where your feet fall, hardwood flooring can add value and give your home the design boost it needs. Solid Wood vs. Engineered Hardwoods With so many options available nowadays, making the right decision can be difficult. Consider these key differences when evaluating flooring for your home. Solid Wood Flooring  is milled from trees, and each plank is composed of natural wood. Within the realm of solid wood, there are varying degrees of hardness. The  Janka Hardness Sca...

You may feel safe inside on a hot, smoggy day, but hidden dangers could be damaging your health right in your own home. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO),  4.3 million people a year  die from exposure to household air pollution. Poorly ventilated dwellings, smoking around the home and fine particles can all negatively impact your health. Although you can try to improve your home’s health by regularly changing filters and opening the windows to let in some fresh air, you need some smart home technology to help save energy. That will ultimately help you go green by cutting down on your energy consumption. As an added benefit, saving energy can also trim your energy bills and save some money in the process. Get started with these five smart home ideas for saving energy. Control Your Smart Home Automation Before you start your smart home journey, look at how you can control the automation process from the start. For example, smart appliances can ...