AMANDA GATES , REALTOR
FIVE TIPS FOR SPRING CLEANING
Spring is just around the corner and for those selling their home , there ’ s nothing more beneficial than doing a great spring cleaning job . It will not only make your home look great , but it can get rid of clutter that could distract potential buyers .
Here are five spring cleaning tips that will help you sell your home :
Mow the lawn , pick up leaves and trim the hedges . Buy some colorful flowers and spread fresh mulch in flowerbeds . Fill in bare spots on your lawn . Clean gutters , wash the welcome mat and put away tools .
Clean windows bring more light into a room and allows buyers the chance to see the view from their potential new home . Include all sliding glass doors , garage windows and outside doors .
Inspect each room for things such as holes in the wall , outlets that are missing a cover or doorknobs that are loose and squeaky . Check caulking around sinks , faucets and tubs , as well as grout in counters or bathtubs .
Power washers are easily rented from a home improvement store and they can remove layers of grime from stone , porch , deck and fencing .
Go through closets and bag clothes that don ’ t fit , are out-of-style or you don ’ t wear anymore and donate them to charity . Take your old books , toys and knickknacks and hold a garage sale . A de-cluttered home is always more attractive to the homebuyer .
AMANDA GATES , REALTOR
336-682-6822 ( Cell ) Amanda . Gates @ BHHSCarolinas . com
Text “ BHHSAmandaGates ” to 87778 to download my FREE mobile app !
F EBRUARY 2017
HOME BREWING FOR DUMMIES
Hi Friends ,
I recently had the pleasure of seeing how beer can be made in the convenience of your own home . Two years ago Jon Eilbes had the brilliant idea to open a homebrewers supply store . Homebrewer ’ s Clubhouse happens to be the only true dedicated store to home brewing in Winston-Salem . Jon allowed me to pop in and see how “ home brewing ” really works .
To my surprise home brewing is quite simple , so simple in fact anyone can stop in and pick up one of his kits and take it home and begin brewing right on their own stove top ! Jon opened his store in September of 2014 and has been brewing his own beer for about 10 years . Jon likes to take the historical perspective when it comes to brewing . Home brewing is part of history , part of the human experience . When you think about it almost every culture throughout the world has created some form of beer . People have brewed beer with a stick and pot for years , even before they really knew what they were doing . Beer is one of the oldest beverages humans have produced , dating back to at least the fifth millennium BC and recorded in the written history of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and was spread throughout world .
For anyone who is concerned about the complexities of beer making Jon says , “ The worst thing that can happen is you are going to make beer , nothing you brew can make you sick …” “ Brewing has not changed much , the equipment has just gotten better !”
Jon showed me how a brew starts and explained that a simple brew only takes a few hours to get started . Just like when you make a cup of tea the first thing to do when brewing from grains is to steep the grains for 30 minutes in hot water . Next you drain the grains just as if you were removing a tea bag from hot water . Then , extract is added and the brew is boiled at a rolling boil for 1 hour , in which hops are added . Next , the brew must be cooled 15 to 20 minutes using an ice bath or special equipment . After being cooled to a specific temperature you can then pump in the oxygen , add the yeast , and let it sit to ferment for 7-10 days . Depending on the type of beer you are making it could be longer . Most ales are a 4 week process , whereas a lager can take 6-8 weeks to perfect .
Jon is always available for questions about brewing and will soon offer classes on home brewing . Jon is also a member of the Winston Salem Worthawgs Brew Club that anyone is welcome to join , beginner or expert . It is easy to come in , grab a starter kit , go home , follow the step by step instructions and voila your own home crafted beer ! Anyone can become a home brewing expert if they have the desire ! So next time you are in the area or want to try something new , come in and see Jon at the Homebrewer ’ s Clubhouse .
Follow Jon on Instagram @ homebrewersclubhouse 1312 S . Hawthorne Rd . WS 27103 336-293-4550 Store hours are : Tues-Wed 10am-5:30pm Thu-Fri 11am-6:30pm Sat 10am-5:30pm Sun 10am-3pm
F EBRUARY 2017