Marybeth Heckler, Author at Marybeth Heckler | Blog | Allied Mortgage Group

Creating a Winter Emergency Survival Kit

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 7, 2020. Posted in Homeowner.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for almost any kind of emergency that can be thrown our way. So as winter approaches, it’s necessary to put together an emergency survival kit that can help you stay safe during severe winter weather. We’ve probably all heard horror stories of people stuck at home for days during blizzards (or worse, those trapped out in their cars during this weather).

Here’s what you need on hand to protect yourself and your family during a winter emergency:

Heating options — The first thing you are going to want to stock up on is some form of heating option if you lose power. If you have a fireplace, then make sure you have your chimney cleaned and a good supply of logs and other options to get a good fire going. If you don’t have a fireplace that works, then you should invest in a kerosene heater. (These need to be handled with great care, so make sure you follow all safety procedures when using them.)

In your car, make sure that you keep several heavy thermal blankets and a heavy-duty sleeping bag in your car in case you are stuck in a snowdrift and need to stay warm. Another good choice to keep in your car is hand-warmers like those used by hunters. These can be shaken up to create a small heating source.

Basic supplies — There are several items that fall under basic supplies that you should keep for any type of emergency. These include:

Flashlight and batteries
Candles and matches
First aid kit
Portable weather/FM radio
Rapid charger for phone

Food and water — A big problem when winter weather is nearing is that everyone seems to buy all of the bread and milk in the grocery store. You want to keep a good supply of non-perishable and canned food items on hand before the grocery rush starts. At home, you want things that can be opened and eaten without a lot of food preparation (as your stove and microwave may be incapacitated by a power loss). Good options for the car are unsalted canned nuts, peanut butter, protein/granola bars, and hard candy. Finally, have lots of bottled water on hand. Even if the expiration date has passed on the water, don’t toss it. You can still use this water for other tasks such as cleaning if your water pipes stop working.

Before the winter moves in, you need to spend some time getting your home and car ready for the possibility of a winter emergency. By stocking up on these items early on, you can ensure that you keep your family safe this winter.

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What Buyers Need to Know About Home Inspections

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 30, 2020. Posted in Real Estate.

For those in the market for a new home, there are lots of different pieces of advice that people will try to offer you about buying a house. But one piece of advice is so good that you can take it to the bank.

It is absolutely imperative that you get a good home inspection before you sign on the dotted line. Failure to do this can result in getting burdened with a real money pit instead of your dream home.

Here’s a rundown on what you need to know about home inspections:

Request an inspection — First, you want to put into your contract that you wish to have a home inspection performed. Once the contract is signed, then you have a couple of weeks (depending on how much time is specified in the contract) to find an inspector, have it conducted, and then decide on how to act based on the inspection.

Find an inspector — Next, you need to find someone who can perform an inspection on the house. Generally speaking, you want to start with your real estate agent. They usually have a list of inspectors that they trust. You can also check on their credentials by looking at online reviews of their past work. Also, be sure to check out their certifications so that you know they are up to date on everything.

Conduct the inspection — When the inspection is conducted, you should make plans to be there in person. Not only do you want to know how things go, but you also should be there to ask questions and to ensure that everything is checked out thoroughly. Your inspector needs to check out all of the areas of the property, including basement, cellar, and attic. The inspector will also need to ensure that all of the major systems such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical are thoroughly inspected.

Review the report — Once the inspection is complete, you will receive a formal report from the inspector. Then, sit down with your real estate agent and review the findings of the inspection. Then, you are faced with a few choices such as whether to adjust your offer based on the inspection findings or require repairs to be made as a contingency of you buying the house. Additionally, if the inspection finds a major structural problem, it is still possible to walk away from the sale.

Buying a new home is one of the largest investments a person will ever make. To protect yourself from buying a home with major problems, it is imperative that you get a home inspection. This will protect you and ensure that your home is a safe one that you won’t throw your money away on.

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Celebrating New Year’s Eve at Home with Kids

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 23, 2020. Posted in Holidays, Motherhood.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner and many of us are looking forward to saying goodbye to all of the chaos and confusion of 2020. Whether you normally stay at home with the kids on New Year’s Eve, or you’re doing so this year because of COVID, chances are that you won’t be going out to celebrate.

If you’re new to celebrating at home and would like tips on celebrating with the kids, or if you’re looking for some new ideas for 2020-2021, here are five tips on how to celebrate the year’s arrival with your kids:

Slumber Party! — A lot of kids are missing out on the joys of being kids this year with the inability to visit with their friends due to COVID. That being said, why don’t you have a family slumber party that can have all of the fun traditions. Set out sleeping bags in the living room (or even better, build a fort out of cushions!) and then get out the popcorn. Watch some family-favorite movies on the television and, if the little ones can stay up that late, celebrate the ball drop on TV like you did when you were growing up.

Reflect on the Year — Another thing that you can do as the year passes away is to sit on the couch and reflect back on the year that has passed. Ask each person in your family to name one thing that they liked about the past year or one memory that they are going to cherish. Have everyone write these down so that you can preserve the memories in a scrapbook or memento box.

Share a Toast — For adults, what says “New Year’s Eve” more than a toast with champagne at midnight? For the kids, you should include them in the tradition with their own non-alcoholic versions. Either get a bottle of sparkling grape juice or help them cook up their own “mocktail” like a Shirley Temple. For some international flair, have twelve grapes (one at each bell chime at midnight) as they do in Spain. This tradition is supposed to bring prosperity for the new year.

Get Outside — If the weather is kind, New Year’s Eve is a great time to get outside to celebrate. Set up a fire pit or heaters to keep everyone warm and then break out the sparklers for safe New Year’s Eve “fireworks.” Also, instead of throwing confetti or having a balloon drop at midnight, celebrate with some cans of silly string and let the kids go wild.

Have a Fashion Show — If you want to have silly fun this New Year’s Eve, head to your closet and break out all of your fanciest clothes for a fashion show with your kids. Make sure to take lots of pictures and create a scrapbook later on.

This year, stay home and stay safe for New Year’s Eve. But at the same time, make sure that you and your kids have a celebration that you will remember for years to come.

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Time to Upgrade Your Front Door?

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 16, 2020. Posted in Homeowner.

We all know that first impressions are important and often very hard to shake off. So, if you want your home to give a great first impression, you need to start with some of the first things you notice.

For many homes, that’s the front door itself. Unfortunately, when it comes to sprucing up the house, your front door often doesn’t get that much love or attention. The good news is that an upgrade to your front door can be an easy project that you can complete in a weekend.

Ideas to give you inspiration for upgrading your front door:

New Door/New Material — Many homes are still featuring the basic front door that came with the original house. Over time, this can become dingy, cracked, and even warped. So, if you start with a new door, you might also want to start with a new material. If you choose an old standby such as wood, the possibilities are endless from the type of wood, the amount of glass/windows set into the wood, and color. If you want something more durable, steel or fiberglass are also great options for a new door.

Change the Color — If you don’t want to buy a brand-new door, you can give it an upgrade by simply painting or staining the old door to make it look fresh. Don’t be afraid to choose bold colors that will really make the door stand out from the rest of the house and call attention to itself.

Go High-Tech — Another great option for door upgrades is to go high-tech and add digital components. For years, keyless entry/keypads have been a popular choice for homeowners. Now, you don’t have to worry about getting locked out; you can simply enter the correct keypad code and unlock your door. Some of these locks are also moving towards voice recognition and will open up at a word (but only when it is a recognized user at the door). If you want extra security for your entryway and porch, you can consider the new doorbell options from companies such as Ring. These connect to your tablet or other device so if someone rings the doorbell, you can get a video feed of them, even if you aren’t at home. These can also be set to record while you are gone so you can catch any porch bandits stealing packages that are dropped off.

Your front door probably hasn’t been changed or updated in years. And if that is the case, then chances are it’s starting to show. Simple upgrades or even digital ones can really add to your curb appeal and make your home nicer looking and safer.

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Dressing Up the Guest Room

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 9, 2020. Posted in Homeowner.

There’s a great scene in a classic episode of Friends where Phoebe has to stay with Chandler and Monica in their guest room. Monica, always the over-the-top personality, greets her with warm cookies and a “Welcome to Hotel Monica.”

Now, most of us aren’t going to go quite that far with our guest rooms and accommodations. But when you have family and friends staying with you, especially for an extended period of time, it’s important to spruce up the guest room to make it look, and feel, comfy.

Here are four ideas on how to create a cozy nest for your guests:

Make it warm and inviting — First and foremost, your guest room should look warm and inviting and not just like a storage room that you clear out when guests show up. Make sure that you have nice cushiony comforters and fresh sheets on the bed. But also, get sheet sets and linens that work nicely with the color scheme of the room. Speaking of color schemes, one area that can add an extra layer of comfort is by painting the ceiling, especially if you choose a warm color to accent that of the walls.

It’s not just a bedroom — Remember that your guest may not want to spend every waking moment in the main living area of the house with you. At some point, they are going to want to retire to the guest room to unwind. Besides the obvious choice of a bed, your guest room should also feature a chair that they can sit in to relax. If possible, create a little reading nook with a comfy chair and a reading light so they can just sit and read or reflect quietly.

Share your space — Let’s face it: a lot of us use our guest rooms as storage space. If you have a dresser in the room that you use to store your off-season clothes, clean a section out of it for your guest. No one likes to live out of a suitcase, and they can unpack and feel a little more at home. And speaking of sharing, make sure that you give your guest your wi-fi password on a note in the guest room so they don’t have to ask for it.

Hotel touches — Lastly, you can make your guest room feel a bit like a five-star hotel with a few little touches. From mints on the pillow to warm cookies and coffee or tea on the table, these are all ways to make your guest feel at home. And if you can pull off towel sculptures of animals then go for it!

Your guest room doesn’t have to be a bland setting with only a simple bed. If you dress it up a little bit and give it a little flair, then you can make a home away from home that your guests will want to visit again.

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DIY Christmas Crafts for Decorating Your Home on a Budget

Written by Marybeth Heckler on November 2, 2020. Posted in Holidays.

As this year draws to a close, many of us are breathing a sigh of relief. The events of the year can now be set aside and replaced by the joy of the holiday season. But many of us are on a very tight budget this year and it may not be as merry of a Christmas as you’ve had in years past.

One way to help out with this is to create some of your own decorations for your home. These do-it-yourself projects can provide you with not only beautiful decorations, but also memories of spending time together with your loved ones while making them.

Here are 4 do-it-yourself Christmas decorating ideas I’d like to share with you:

Cinnamon Candle — Candles are always a beautiful decoration for the holidays, but scented candles seem to be getting more expensive every year. This year, get one large candle that isn’t scented. Look for a candle that is a holiday color like red, green, or white. Take your trusty hot glue gun and a cinnamon stick and glue the stick vertically to the candle. Then, keep repeating the process until you have the candle completely covered. You can spruce this up with a festive holiday bow or even some garlands around the base. But your home will have the beauty of soft candlelight and the warm smell of cinnamon. You can see the process here.

2020 Ornament — For this one, you’ll just need a Sharpie marker and a plain, undecorated Christmas tree ball ornament. On the ornament, write one of your favorite memories of the past year. You can even invite all of the family to do this so that you have a collection of your favorite moments from this year. And, at the end of the season, you can box these up and keep them as mementos of the year that was.

Tabletop Christmas Trees — For this project, get together your hot glue gun, some poster board, and felt (preferably in festive colors). Roll the poster board up into a cone so that it will sit flat on a table while looking roughly like a Christmas tree. Glue the top of the cone together to hold it and then wrap the “tree” in felt and glue this in place. You now have a homemade Christmas tree for your holiday displays. In a pinch, you can substitute old wrapping paper for the felt. Like this idea but want additional options? Check out this article on 14 DIY Tabletop Christmas Tree crafts.

Cardboard Box Gingerbread House — Gingerbread houses can be fun to make, but they are definitely messy. Use a DIY alternative from an old cardboard box. Take a square box as your house base and then use another box and cut it up to form the triangular roof of the house. Glue these together and then use paint to decorate it as elaborately as you please. You can even create a village out of cardboard boxes with everyone in the family making their own house. Get inspired by these adorable examples.

Christmas doesn’t have to be an expensive holiday. The real joy comes from doing things you love with your friends and family. This year, spend some time creating your own holiday ornaments and decorations and make memories that will last a lifetime.

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Embracing Hygge with Your Family This Winter

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 26, 2020. Posted in Motherhood.

I love different languages and the way some cultures have one word that is almost impossible to translate but can sum up a series of emotions perfectly. One of those is the Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-ga”).

This beautiful word is meant to express the feeling of a cozy winter centered around family and friends and enjoying each moment of life. If there’s one concept that I can get behind, it’s that.

So here are some ways that you and your family can embrace hygge this winter:

Enjoy a hot beverage together — On The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon was always offering someone who needed comfort a “hot beverage.” But this winter, embrace hygge by sharing a hot beverage with your loved ones. If you can, make it a family affair with your kids making real homemade hot chocolate (with a little dash of chili if you want an extra kick to yours). If hot chocolate isn’t to your taste, brew up a real pot of coffee or tea and skip the instant stuff.

Make a quilt — What is winter if you can’t curl up under a good blanket and snuggle down and get comfy? This year, you can break out the old comfortable blankets and snuggle with family underneath them as you read a book, watch tv, or just talk. But another bonding activity that can be really useful right now would be quilting. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate pattern. But a simple quilt can bond you with your loved ones and keep you warm—it’s a win-win situation!

Take a candle-lit bath — One of the important parts of hygge is that you should not only connect with others, but that you should also be present in the moment and spend some time for yourself. Draw yourself a hot bath complete with your favorite bath salts or foaming bubbles and just relax. Add some ambiance with soft candlelight and gentle, relaxing music. If you are so inclined, bring a good book with you or you can just lay back and luxuriate.

Share memories — Another great way to connect with family while you are stuck indoors this winter is by looking back at old pictures together. Digital photos have killed the practice of scrapbooking and photo albums. But this is the perfect time to print out those favorite pictures and assemble a photo album of cherished memories that you can share with your loved ones.

After the holidays are over and the decorations are all put away, we still have a few more months of cold weather as we wait for spring. This year, spend this time with loved ones embracing the Danish concept of “hygge.”

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Denver in Winter Activity Guide

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 19, 2020. Posted in Denver.

Locals all know that winter is when Denver really comes to life with lots of activities and outdoor fun. While it is very likely that this year’s winter activities will look totally different than in years past because of COVID-19, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy yourself.

Here are the top winter activities in Denver (and the surrounding areas) that you can enjoy with your friends and family:

Denver Christkindl Market – Every year for the past 20 years, Denver has been transformed into a German wonderland with this authentic replica of a Bavarian market. Here, you can sample a wide selection of German wines, beers, and food while shopping through an arts and crafts market. And, you can also visit with St. Nikolaus and his dark counterpart, Krampus!

Dillon Ice Castles – A little over an hour outside of Denver is the town of Dillon, which is home to some truly beautiful works of natural art. This year, the ice castles will be returning despite the pandemic and locals are hoping to see lots of visitors to help make up for lost revenue in the past few months. These castles take 10 million gallons of water to create! Visitors can tour the castle and see incredible ice sculptures including fountains, slides, thrones, and tunnels.

Blossoms of Light – This holiday event has been a Denver staple for over three decades and it will be back and open this year. The Denver Botanic Gardens is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with elaborate holiday light displays. And don’t forget to pick up a hot cocoa or coffee with some sweet treats to keep you warm during your visit.

Denver Winter Brew Fest – Kick off 2021 the right way with the Denver Winter Brew Fest, a celebration of smaller craft beers in a festival setting. Tickets range from $35 to $60 VIP tickets at the door and gives you a sampling glass and an unlimited sampling of beers and hard ciders. Also, food trucks will be available to buy snacks and live music will keep you entertained.

Ruby Hill Rail Yard – If you want some outdoor activities in the snow without heading out to the ski resorts, check out this local fun spot. This is the only urban snow sports terrain park in the United States and allows you to try out snowboarding and other activities in a park location. Plus, it’s FREE!

Denver in the winter is a bustling mecca for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. These are just some of the best activities that you can find this season that will be open despite the pandemic.

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Questions to Ask Before You Buy Your Next Home

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 12, 2020. Posted in Real Estate.

Buying a new home is not something you do on a whim or the spur of the moment. It is something that takes meticulous planning and careful decision making.

Whether you are buying a first-time starter home, expanding your house with the size of your family, or downsizing in your later years, there are certain aspects you need to know before you sign on the dotted line.

Here are the big questions you need to ask before you buy your next home:

What is my total budget? Begin with a little soul-searching about just how much money you can spend each month on a mortgage. As a rule of thumb, calculate your average monthly income. A mortgage should never be more than 25% of that figure. If it is, then you are not going to be able to afford basic living expenses.

How much do I need to put down on the home? For many people, the problem isn’t being able to afford the monthly mortgage. Rather, it’s the difficulty of putting together the down payment all at once. Put down as much as you can afford.

What’s the neighborhood like? If you have your eyes on one particular house, you need to also look at the neighborhood. Talk with your local police department or check the local newspapers to see if it is a high crime area. You can also check with them to see if anyone in the neighborhood is a registered sex offender. If you’re a parent or hope to be soon, look at the quality of the schools to see if they can provide a good education to your children. Finally, look to see if the home is in a flood plain or is prone to any other potential disasters.

How long has the house been on the market? This answer can really impact how much you have to offer on the home. If the house is a brand-new listing and the price is right, you may find yourself in a bidding war as multiple buyers jump in. However, if the home has been listed for months (or even more than a year), you may want to ask yourself what is wrong with it that others are passing it by. If it still seems like a good home, then offer less than the asking price and see if the homeowner is desperate enough to bite.

What other costs are involved? Buying a home is never easy, so you need to be prepared for hidden costs. First, estimate how much you expect to pay at closing. Also, pay close attention to the appliances and HVAC system and determine if these will need any upgrades or outright replacements. Finally, find out how much the property taxes are each year so you can include that in your budget.

If you are buying a new home, it is imperative that you do your homework first and get all the details down before you make your purchase. This is a major commitment and not one you want to make without all the facts in front of you.

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How to Organize a Playroom

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 5, 2020. Posted in Homeowner.

All of the time that kids have spent at home lately, thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, has probably left you with a disorganized and chaotic house.

This is especially true of your child’s playroom. With the holidays coming up, you might want to get this area under control before you add even more items to their play area.

Here are tips to get the chaos of your child’s room under control and organize their playroom:

Sweep through the room for trash — Before you try to do any organizing, you need to get rid of some of the items your child doesn’t need anymore. First, throw out any items that are broken. This includes toys that are falling apart, puzzles or games that are missing pieces, and anything else that is trash. Make sure you do this alone. Your kids may get a little sentimental and want to hold on to broken items and you don’t need that. Now is the time to absolutely get rid of whatever is broken.

Clear out items to donate — Now that you’ve gotten rid of the broken toys, go through with your child and help them pick out toys that they don’t play with anymore. Point out to them that it is especially nice to help those who are less fortunate by donating toys, games, and puzzles. Encourage them to practice charity and, at the same time, clean out the room as much as possible.

Get a system of bins — Playrooms don’t tend to be very big and you want to maximize as much floor space as possible so your child can actually play. To do this, get a bin system that is vertical and goes higher rather than taking up a lot of horizontal space in the room. Get multiple smaller bins instead of one large “toy box.” With the toy box, your child will throw everything out as he or she looks for that one toy they want to play with. With smaller bins, they have less things to go through to find what they want. Also, use clear plastic bins so you can see inside easily.

Sort by type — After you set up the bins, organize and label them by categories. If your child loves race cars, then you might want to create a bin to just hold these. If they are into board games, then separate those into an individual bin. Whatever system works best for you is ok, but it is essential to have some kind of system.

Only get down one bin at a time — Your child might have a couple of toys that they always gravitate towards. But if you want to get them to play with a variety of toys, you might want to consider only getting out one bin a day. This way, your child has fewer options and doesn’t feel overwhelmed. And, if the bins are stacked up, they won’t be able to get into the other toys that you haven’t put out for them. Plus, cleaning up one bin is a lot easier than five or six bins.

Getting your child’s room clean and organized isn’t just an important activity for keeping your home orderly. It’s also an important practice to help teach your child so that they can learn responsibility and how to keep themselves organized as they get older.

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Author: Marybeth Heckler