summer Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Your Guide to Hosting a Backyard BBQ

August 6, 2015 By Casey Danton

Some spectacular summer memories are made outdoors with family and friends. Skip the restaurant this summer. Invite friends and family to your home for a scrumptious summer BBQ. This guide may make your summer BBQ a smashing success!

Set the Stage: Get your backyard BBQ ready. Read your manual to learn how far your grill should be from your house, patio, trees, and other potentially flammable spots. Get your table ready and consider bringing another table outdoors to set up a buffet. Add plenty of seating options and extra light sources for when the sun goes down. If your neighborhood allows it, build a bonfire and roast s’mores! Looking for more creative ways to arrange your space? Read our post, “How to Decorate for Outdoor Entertaining.”

Choose Your Foods: Will you be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, grilled chicken or all of the above? Choose staples and sides. Consider asking guests to bring their favorite appetizer or dessert.

Plan Activities: Keep everyone entertained with fun lawn games. Set up games like cornhole, horseshoe, croquet, touch football, and wheelbarrow. Some people may choose to play and others may choose to chat. Stuck on games? Read our post, “10 Fun Family Lawn Games for Summer.”

Decorate: Assemble festive decorations like lanterns, string lights, and centerpieces. Get creative and set up DIY stations with assorted toppings for salads, corn on the cob, and ice cream sundaes. Add a condiment bar with different types of condiments and dressings. You may also want to create a drink station and a photo booth with fun props like cowboy hats, sunglasses, and boas.

Now that the planning is done, pick up the phone and start inviting friends and family. Get ready to grill and chill.

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5 Swoon-worthy Hammock Hangouts

July 20, 2015 By Casey Danton

Spend the summer swinging and snoozing in these swoon-worthy hammocks. Hammocks aren’t just for the backyard. There are countless places to set up a hammock. We’ve rounded up some serene spots. ThinkstockPhotos-481486264

The Pool Hammock: Set up a hammock beside a pool. Seamlessly switch from snoozing to swimming.

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The Ocean Hammock: Let your concerns drift away in a beautiful ocean hammock. Lay out in the sun, cool off, and curl up with a good book.

The Indoor Hammock: Hammocks aren’t just for outside. Set up an indoor hammock so that you can read, relax, and snooze even when the weather is dreary.

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The Backyard Hammock: Set up a hammock between two trees in the backyard and swing under the stars. Add some snacks at arm’s reach, pillows, and blankets, and you may never want to go back inside!

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The Beach Hammock: Read and recline on the beach without getting sandy. Bring light blue pillows, blankets, and towels to stay in line with the beach theme.

Set up your hammock, then visit our Pinterest page for more home decor inspiration!

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How to Make Your Lawn Look Like a Baseball Field

July 10, 2015 By Casey Danton

It’s time to take throwing the ball around with your kids to the next level. Advance to the big leagues by getting creative with backyard landscaping. Here are our tips for how to make your lawn look more like a baseball field.

It’s all in the stripes: Professional stadiums have those clean, beautiful stripes in the grass. This pattern is created by bending the blades of grass: blades that are bent toward you look dark and blades that are turned away look light.

Refine your mowing technique: Pay careful attention to your mowing and make sure to stay in a straight line. Always look a good few feet ahead of you while you mow. Try to cut the grass long, as long grass bends more. The longer the grass, the better the stripe.

Roll it out: After you’ve mowed, you’ll need to intensify the stripes by going over them with a roller. This will really bend the grass. If you have a gas-powered rotary lawn mower, you can attach a roller to the back (found at your local garden care center or home improvement store). You can also go the DIY route and either attach weights to the rubber tail on the back of the mower, attach a heavy welcome mat to the back, or build a roller yourself.

Choose your grass: Different varietals bend differently. Northern grass may bend best. And of course, make sure to fertilize well to increase the likelihood of a full, healthy, green lawn.

Pick your pattern: You have three standard stadium patterns to choose from: the basic stripe, the checkerboard, and the diagonal. To get the basic stripe look, first mow around the perimeter of your lawn, then mow in alternating directions to create the stripes, and finish by mowing over the perimeter again. For the checkerboard, do the same as the basic stripe, but add in a step traveling in the opposite direction to create perpendicular stripes. The diagonal look is achieved by creating a checkerboard pattern but in diagonal directions.

There you have it, a few ways to make your yard look more like a field of dreams. Batter up!

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Worldwide Wanderlust: Maine

June 12, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Summer is the season for road trips and exploring. It’s the perfect time to discover new places, foods and attractions with your loved ones. Coastlines, lighthouses and fresh seafood make this state a place you can’t miss. Today, we’re crossing Maine off our bucket list.

Here are our top 5 must sees (and dos) when in Maine:

Lighthouses: Known as The Lighthouse State, Maine currently has 65 lighthouses along its coastline. With each one unique to its location and history, these famous lighthouses are a must see.

Whale Watching: How often do you get the chance to see a whale up close and personal? Maine offers multiple whale watching tours that are both breathtaking and exhilarating for the whole family. June, July, and the beginning of August are the best times to go whale watching.

Traditional Red Lobster: Maine is the largest American producers of lobsters, so you’ll find them served all over the state. Steamed to perfection with butter and corn, this meal is sure to leave your taste buds wanting more once you’re gone.

Acadia National Park: Over 2 million people visit Acadia National Park annually, and for good reason. Its rocky coastline causes dramatic, crashing waves that will take your breath away. You’ll also have the chance to explore the 26 mountains in the park.

A Day at the Beach: At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than lounging in the sand. Maine has many popular beaches that you can visit during your stay. With plenty of shops and food stands in the area, you can spend your day soaking up the sun.

This will be a vacation your family will remember for a lifetime!

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Your Guide to Summer Rentals

June 5, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Are you thinking about renting a home for the summer? Similar to buying or renting a permanent home, it is necessary to do thorough research.

Follow our guide to help you choose the best summer rental:

Why Rent: Renting a vacation house or apartment is a fun way to get away and spend the summer somewhere new. Staying at hotels with your family can be pricey, but renting a space allows you and your family to make your own meals, explore the surrounding area, and have a space that feels like home.

Location: Choosing the right location for your family is the most important component of picking a summer rental. Do you and your family enjoy water sports? Choose a location near the ocean or lake. Are you looking for outdoor adventures? Find a cabin in the woods.

Property Type: There are many types of rental properties to choose from. Single family homes are a popular option for families with young children or larger families who need extra space. Condominiums or time shares require less maintenance and come with amenities.

Pricing: The cost of summer rentals vary depending on property type and location. Some things to take into consideration are maintenance fees, amenities, and size.

List out the features you’d like your rental to have and plan accordingly then call a CENTURY 21® Agent who can help you find your dream summer rental!

How to Make Your Home Summer Ready

June 2, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Summer is quickly approaching! Now that you’ve done your spring cleaning, it’s time to prepare your home for the heat. It’s easy to overlook items that might need a check-up, but with our tips, you won’t miss a thing.

Here are our best tips for getting your home ready for the summer:

Screens: Make sure your screens are in good condition. If your screens are broken, you may get unwanted insect visitors…and no one wants that!

Open the Windows: Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows to take advantage of the fresh breeze on cooler days.

Air Conditioning: Before it gets too hot, check your air conditioner to make sure it is in working condition. Additionally, consider installing ceiling fans to circulate air and potentially lower your electricity bills.

Shades and Curtains: Incoming sunlight makes your home hotter. Keep shades and curtains closed when you’re gone for the day. Your home will be cooler and you will be able to turn the A/C down to save some money on your electricity bill.

Landscaping: Don’t forget about the landscaping! Warmer weather means the lawn needs extra care. Use sprinklers to keep your grass hydrated and healthy this season. Plant trees or shrubs around your house to create shade.

Get Bug Free: It’s that time of year when mosquitoes and other unwanted insects wander our backyards. Get ready for entertaining guests by spraying repellents and lighting citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay.

Seal Your Ducts: According to California’s Energy Center, leaking ductwork accounts for 25 percent of cooling costs in the average home. Make sure to get your ducts tested (and any leaks repaired) by a qualified contractor.

Outdoor Decor: Dust off the patio set and wash outdoor fabrics. If necessary, give your pieces a fresh coat of paint to freshen up last year’s look.

Turn It Off: Turn off the lights and unplug appliances when you aren’t using them. You’ll save energy and lower your energy bills which is helpful because energy bills are highest in the summer.

Vent a Little: Ventilate your attic to keep hot air from getting trapped in a confined space.

Our tips will ensure that your home is in the right condition for the summer months ahead, while saving you money.

Worldwide Wanderlust: CENTURY 21® Homes from Around the Globe

March 5, 2014 By CENTURY 21

One word, ten letters: wanderlust. This seemingly never ending winter has left us with a major case of wanderlust. Do you feel the same?

Get your daily dose of wanderlust by looking at these homes around the world. Looking to make a commitment? The houses are all on sale at CENTURY 21® Global.

Australia:

This incredible home is an architectural triumph of unrivalled quality wrapped in spectacular harbor panoramas. The postcard style views create a sense of seamless extension of this substantial home’s multi-level layout. The exceptionally private home has an open vista to the world’s most beautiful harbor, cutting edge security, and a no-expense-spared approach to luxury and personal comfort. The streamlined residence captures the essence of flowing indoor/outdoor open plan living, with the main living and dining areas flowing onto the fabulous sundrenched terrace-garden. All principal rooms have balconies or terraces and views of Australia’s most prestigious peninsula. Framed by clipped hedges and low maintenance garden areas, the generously proportioned home includes secure garage with space for twelve cars and a private elevator to all levels of accommodation. This exquisite home is dressed to impress!

This incredible seven bedroom, six bathroom home is a surfer’s paradise. The modern home includes: a helipad, a guest house, five garages and four car parks, a tennis court, Miele kitchen appliances, a home movie theater and more.

London

This bright 2,888 sq ft penthouse apartment features spectacular views over communal gardens, London’s skyline, and Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The stunning home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, three receptions, a kitchen, an entrance hall, a utility room and a guest cloakroom. The apartment boasts opulent grandeur throughout, which is of particular prominence in the principal receptions and in the dining room. Kingston House North is a desirable purpose built apartment block on Hyde Park with 24 hour porters, a lift, visitors parking, and beautiful communal gardens. With the park a stone’s throw away, the amenities of Knightsbridge and South Kensington on your doorstep, including fashionably restaurants and cafes, world class shopping such as Harrods and excellent transport links, this most desirable location is second to none.

Canada

This custom built luxury home sits on 1.3 ac backing onto Blue Springs Golf Club near Acton. The 13,000 sq ft home has: five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a balcony, a separate guest suite, custom walnut millwork, two laundry rooms, a main level master suite with large walk-in closets, a fitness room, an office nook, a heated flooring system, above grade windows, a walkout, custom wine cellar, walk-in fridge and freezer, den and outstanding games and entertainment room with billiard and ping pong rooms as well as a custom bar ideal for entertaining. The grounds have been impeccably landscaped with concrete and stone walls, a large gunite pool with waterfall feature and wading area, a huge concrete deck and a patio with stone privacy walls, outdoor kitchen with built-in grills, wood burning pizza oven, sink and more.