Boujie On a Budget: Home upgrades that I’ve seen work wonders

March 6, 2024 by Debbie Spencer

It’s time to go *Boujie on a Budget*

In all my time real-estating, I’ve seen some impactful upgrades that give the homes a fresh look AND are easy on the wallet.

These are a few of my favorites:

• Replace faucets and cabinet hardware. Estimated cost: $150-$400 for a kitchen faucet and $5-$25 per cabinet pull.

• Upgrade door knobs and hardware. Estimated cost: $28 per passage door and $31 per privacy lock.

• Swap builder-grade switch plates for decorative ones. Estimated cost: $5-25 per plate, depending on style.

• Refresh rugs. Check out Rugs USA or Loloi on Amazon. Both sites partner with designers, like Rifle Paper Co and Arvin Olano for elevated looks. Estimated cost: $189 for a 5×8 rug.

I’m a huge proponent of making small changed that go a lonnnng way.

Want more tips about small projects with big impact? Reach out – I’ll share what I’m seeing local DIYers take on these days.

DEBBIE SPENCER GROUP

REALTOR®, CRS, SRES

m: 617-285-7300
t: 781-860-7300
e: debbie@thedebbiespencergroup.com

1 Militia Drive, Suite 204, Lexington, MA 02421

www.thedebbiespencergroup.com

How to fall in LOVE with your new neighborhood

February 6, 2024 by Debbie Spencer

Just moved in? Here’s how to quickly fall in love with your new neighborhood:

1) Host a housewarming and invite neighbors over for drinks and appetizers.

2) Get involved. Attend local town hall meetings to listen and learn the latest news and happenings.

3) Explore meetup.com for local interest groups. Shared hobbies are a fantastic way to connect.

4) Peruse a local farmers market to support local businesses and take in the community vibe.

5) Join your area’s association. Most neighborhoods have an association. Join yours to get involved and meet neighbors!

6) Take after-dinner strolls. Explore the neighborhood by going on leisurely walks at a time when most of your neighbors are home. It’s a great way to discover hidden gems and meet fellow residents.

If you are looking to change neighborhoods this spring, please feel free to reach out to me!

DEBBIE SPENCER GROUP

REALTOR®, CRS, SRES

m: 617-285-7300
t: 781-860-7300
e: debbie@thedebbiespencergroup.com

1 Militia Drive, Suite 204, Lexington, MA 02421

www.thedebbiespencergroup.com

5 Ways to cut down on your home energy bill

January 8, 2024 by Debbie Spencer

January 10 marks National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, and I’ve got your personal cheat sheet with five strategies to conserve energy and elbow those extra costs out of your monthly bill:

1) Consider time-of-use rates.

Learn about your utility’s time-of-use rates, which vary depending on the time of day. Strategically plan your energy use to save money. You can find these rates on your energy bill or the utility’s website.

2) Leverage smart home plugs and thermostats.

Combat standby power consumption (up to 10% of your energy use) with smart switches for appliances and programmable thermostats. Schedule when they turn on and off efficiently.

3) Adjust the water heater temperature.

The U.S. Department of Energy says lowering your water heater temperature by 20 degrees can save 4% – 22% annually.

4) Efficient water heating.

Water heating is the second-largest home expense, averaging $400 – $600 yearly. Consider a $150 water heater smart controller to heat water only when needed (potentially saving 10% – 30%) and insulate your water heater to cut heat loss (saving 7% – 16%).

5) Monitor specific energy usage.

Make sense of rising bills by tracking energy usage and setting custom alerts. Knowing where your energy goes is the first step to making meaningful changes.

Bookmark this blog post for your next bill cycle, and feel free to reach out for more energy-saving insights!

DEBBIE SPENCER GROUP

REALTOR®, CRS, SRES

m: 617-285-7300
t: 781-860-7300
e: debbie@thedebbiespencergroup.com

1 Militia Drive, Suite 204, Lexington, MA 02421

www.thedebbiespencergroup.com

Make Your Home Feel Like a Cozy Winter Cabin: A Checklist

December 6, 2023 by Debbie Spencer

Vibe: Cozy Winter Cabin

Transform your home into a winter haven and create an idyllic cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere with this step-by-step checklist.

Set the Stage
• Cozy candles – Try Woodwick candles if you like the flickering light + crackling pops.
• Chunky blankets – Add texture and warmth with plush throws, heirloom quilts, or a blanket the whole family can share from The Big Blanket Company.
• Featured fireplace – Don’t have the real thing? No worries—find a fireplace video on YouTube for that comforting ambiance.
• Smooth jazz – Set the mood with Spotify playlists that capture the season’s essence.

Elevate the vibe
• Classic board games – Every cabin in the woods has a cabinet of classic board games like Scrabble, Checkers, Sorry, or Scategories.
• Rocking chairs – Nothing says “Welcome to our Cabin” like rows of rocking chairs. If you have one or more in other rooms, bring it to the living from for the holiday season.

Dress the Part
Make a statement with a pair of fleece-lined slippers from UGGS or LLBean and comfy loungewear with a stocking hat to match. (For the ladies, check out Vuori’s Douglas Cashmere & Merino Beanie Hat!)

Indulge in Comfort Food (and Drink!)
• Soups, stews, and chowders hit the cozy cabin bill. Need some inspo? Search for Martha Stewart’s Vegetable Bean or Potato, Broccoli, and Cheddar Soup.
• Top off your cabin-inspired meal with a fresh-baked apple pie and hot cocoa. Crow & Moss Honduras Wampusirpi Drinking Chocolate is a top pick for dark chocolate lovers, but if you’re looking for something nostalgic, Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix is your best choice.
• Or skip the hot chocolate altogether and go straight for the Jingle Juice—a merry blend of Cran-Apple Juice, Red Moscato, Prosecco, Vodka, and frozen cranberries.

If you’re going for cabin cozy, why not go all the way? Enjoy, friends, and from my home to yours, once again, happy holidays!

Source:
22 Winter Soups That Will Keep You Cozy

Easy Apple Pie Recipe (Just like Grandma Made!) – Little Spoon Farm

We Tasted Every Instant Hot Chocolate We Could Find — Here Are the Best

Best Jingle Juice Recipe

DEBBIE SPENCER GROUP

REALTOR®, CRS, SRES

m: 617-285-7300
t: 781-860-7300
e: debbie@thedebbiespencergroup.com

1 Militia Drive, Suite 204, Lexington, MA 02421

www.thedebbiespencergroup.com

Tips to save money on homeowners insurance

October 6, 2023 by Debbie Spencer

Fact: 90% of homeowners in 2023 saw their annual premium increase compared to the previous year.

Also, a fact: The last thing you need is something else in your world to get more expensive.

I know because I’m right there with you.

But unlike the price of eggs or gas, there are a few simple things you (and a great local agent) can do to keep tabs on your homeowner’s insurance costs:

Raise your deductible
Drop non-essential coverage
Don’t make small claims
Shop around every year
Reinforce your property

If you’d like to chat more about how to save as a homeowner, I’d love to connect! I’m happy to pass along my favorite local insurance agents who will gladly shop multiple carriers to get you the coverage you need at rates you feel great about.

Source: https://www.policygenius.com/homeowners-insurance/how-much-does-homeowners-insurance-cost/

DEBBIE SPENCER GROUP

REALTOR®, CRS, SRES

m: 617-285-7300
t: 781-860-7300
e: debbie@thedebbiespencergroup.com

1 Militia Drive, Suite 204, Lexington, MA 02421