Vinegar is basically the new coconut oil when it comes to household chores

Hello Friends,

20 Unexpected Ways to Use Vinegar to Get Your House Sparkling Clean

Who would have thought that plain ol' white vinegar would be the hero of household chores? If we're keeping it real, we have to throw it out there that vinegar stinks. Like, literally. It has a pungent smell, so one wouldn't normally associate it with cleaning — unless we're talking about the age-old vinegar window washing that has been going on for decades (if not longer). But if you're not using vinegar in your everyday cleaning repertoire, you're missing out, friends. Stinky vinegar can actually even help you deodorize other stinky stuff. Not only that, vinegar is budget-conscious, eco-friendly and available pretty much everywhere. It's a no-brainer.

You might have seen them before on Pinterest, but we've made it easier for you by gathering some of the best quickie vinegar hacks in one place. Who knew one little ingredient could be used to sanitize or even marinate meat?

Clean your microwave

To clean the baked on crud that's on the inside of your microwave, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to 1 cup of water in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes and voilà! It'll be a cinch to wipe off all the gunk.

Freshen stinky shoes

For shoes that smell brand new, just soak the insoles in warm water and a bit of vinegar before letting them dry completely.

Keep toilets clean

Add vinegar to the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes before using a brush to scrub it clean. Your commode never looked so sparkly.

https://goo.gl/f5yDap

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

Your Guide to Stress-Free Thanksgiving Prep

Hello Friends,

Hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year? With so many details to coordinate, guests to host and dishes to cook, having a plan will save headaches and pave the way for a beautiful feast you can really feel grateful for. This breakdown of just what to do and when, from the early preparations to Thanksgiving Day, can help.

One Month Ahead

• Figure out a few basics: How many people will you be inviting? Do you want it to feel elegant, cozy, and casual? Start a list that you can add to over the month as you think of things you need.
• Order your turkey early, especially if you are planning to get a heritage bird (they do sell out).
• Choose recipes and figure out who will be making what.
• Do a walk-through of your house. Does anything need fixing or updating before the big day? Make a plan to take care of repairs and decorating projects now, while you still have ample time.
• Clear space in the pantry, checking levels of staple ingredients as you go.
• Clean the coat closet — move extra coats into another space temporarily if you need to, so guests can use the main hall closet on the big day.
• Figure out now if you will need to rent, borrow or buy anything — extra chairs, serving platters, silverware etc.

Two to Three Weeks Ahead

• Make any DIY table decor table decor you’d like to personalize, such as napkin rings, candleholders and place cards.
• Make your shopping lists: one for perishables and another for nonperishables.
• Make your cooking schedule. Look up all the recipes you will be making, noting down cooking times and temperatures, as well as which dishes can be made in advance (and how far in advance).
• Shop for all the items on your nonperishable’s list, but don’t unpack them. Instead leave them neatly packed in their bags and tuck them away in a closet or cupboard. This saves you time putting everything away now — and helps on turkey day when you don’t have to go rummaging around for, say, the canned pumpkin.
• A few extras you may want to think about including: paper takeout containers for handing out leftovers, crayons and butcher paper for the kids’ table and wineglass charms or removable stickers for glasses.
• If you still need extra chairs, platters or coffee cups and haven’t yet bought or borrowed them, now is the time. A local party rental business is a good option.

The Weekend Before

• Give your house an all-over cleaning. Don’t waste your time with hidden areas and deep clutter — focus on the entryway, bathrooms, dining room and living room.
• Tidy up the front porch, check porch lighting and add a few fresh potted plants or a wreath on the door.
• Clean out the fridge and freezer.
• If you’re buying a frozen turkey, pick it up now and begin thawing it in fridge.
• Shop for and begin cooking dishes that can be made ahead and frozen, like pie dough.
• Review the menu and gather all necessary serving pieces and trivets in one spot; use sticky notes to label each platter with the dish it will hold.
• Polish any silver you’ll be using.
• If you want to be super organized, print copies of all your Thanksgiving recipes and put them in a presentation binder with clear plastic sleeves. After the big day, you can add notes and shopping lists, and next year you’ll be ready to go!

Thanksgiving Week

• Shop for perishables.
• Pick up the turkey if you’re buying fresh.
• Unless you made a Thanksgiving binder over the weekend (see above), now is the time to gather your recipes. Pin copies to a bulletin board, tape them to the kitchen wall or at least bookmark them in your cookbooks for easy reference.
• Write the cooking plan (oven temperatures and cooking times) on a whiteboard or tape it to the wall, somewhere that you and your helpers can easily check it.

The Night Before

• Set the table if you’re serving family style or set up the buffet.
• Put labeled serving dishes and implements on trivets on the table or buffet.
• Tidy up around the house.
• Prep any dishes you can to ease the workload for the next day.
• Put anything you made in advance and froze in the fridge to thaw.

On Thanksgiving Day

• Fill a dishpan with soapy water and use it to clean as you go.
• Start the turkey in the morning and follow your cooking plan.
• If anyone offers to help, accept!
• Wrap up leftovers promptly to avoid food-borne illnesses. If you’re giving leftovers to guests, pack the food in takeout containers and store it in the fridge until it’s time to go.
• Run a load of dishes in the dishwasher before sitting down to dessert.
• Now sit back and enjoy that pie!

https://goo.gl/TsgniK

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500

House Hunting Dealbreakers: The 3 Things to Never Compromise On

(Image credit: Trinette Reed/Stocksy)

Hello Friends,

We've gone ahead and outlined a few of the biggest real estate deal breakers, the areas where you should never compromise when house hunting. Check out the list below and keep these details in the forefront of your mind as you look at properties.

Location, Location, Location:

"Whether it's for commuting purposes, school systems, or just preferred neighborhood, location tends to be the biggest deal breaker I see. Adding 30 minutes onto your commute can drastically impact your free time and mental happiness. If you want easy access to shops, nightlife, you're going to be miserable living in the middle of nowhere, "advises Chris Taylor with Advantage Real Estate in Boston, MA

You probably knew this one was coming, but it's a cliche for a reason. While you can always work towards upgrading other features of the home over time (I'm looking at you, chef's kitchens and hardwood floors.), how long takes you to get to the grocery store is pretty much set in stone. Before committing to a property make sure that you're happy with your commute to work, the amount of time it takes you to get to stores, and the access you have to main roads.

Fixer-Upper Vs. Turn-Key:

"Get the condition you want " says Aaron Norris of the Norris Group in Riverside, CA, simply.

We know this may seem a little strange considering we just told you to be open to making upgrades, but the reality is that not all home improvements are created equal. While you'll still probably want to switch up the aesthetics in a turn-key home, it will be more or less livable from the moment you walk in the door. Fixer-upper's, on the other hand, require a sizable amount of work to even get the point where everything functions.

it's important to be honest with yourself about which scenario you can handle. Sure, a fixer-upper may come with a lower price point initially, but if you're not naturally handy, the time and money it takes to get the home up to your standards will quickly become overwhelming. Instead of setting yourself up for frustration, stick to looking at properties that match your skill level. You'll thank yourself later.

Your Budget:

"If you can just barely afford to make mortgage payments, you won't have money to do anything outside of work - including taking a vacation - which will make it all seem pointless. Instead, always buy a little less than your maximum qualification amount and enjoy life," says Cedric Stewart with Keller Williams in Washington DC.

There's a reason why mortgage companies give you a range on your pre-approval. It's to allow  you the freedom to decide how big of a mortgage payment you're willing to take on. Have your agent work up a few sets of closing costs at different price points to help give you an idea of what your monthly commitment will be.

Think realistically about how much you'll be able to pay while still enjoying the rest of your life and stick to that sale price. That said, you shouldn't get so intent on saving money that you forgo looking at properties within your range that will ultimately be a better fit for you. In this case, balance is key.

https://goo.gl/sUih81

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd

Ogden, UT 84403

801-627-6500