Real Estate Information Archive

Ready for a decor change at home?

No problem! To make a room feel updated, you don’t need a ton of time or a cleaning crew. You just need some flowers. Really! A bouquet of your favorite arrangement is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to refresh a room.

Flowers are a great low-effort way to update a room for two reasons:

1. They smell great! A little bit of clutter seems like less of an issue when a room smells like roses. One fresh flower is all you need to fill a room with a pleasant aroma. Tip: For the strongest perfume, choose gardenias, roses or lilies.
2. They’ll make you happy. People with fresh flowers in their homes are more likely to feel less worried and less anxious. Buy a bouquet of your favorite flowers to reap the mental health benefits!

Ready to buy some flowers? Check out these tricks to make sure your bouquet rocks:

Choose Unopened Buds. 

It’s actually best to avoid grabbing the prettiest arrangement in the store. Instead, choose one that hasn’t met its full potential yet. If a bouquet has a few unopened buds, it will last longer, saving you money. Note: If there are several tightly shut green buds, skip that arrangement. Green buds mean they weren’t given time to mature before they were cut and will probably die before they open.

Feel the Petals. 

Gently feel all of the petals of the open or bloomed flowers. You want them to be firm and not squishy. Squishy petals mean the flower is farther along in its lifecycle.

Check the Stems. 

Even if you plan on cutting the stems once the flowers are in your home, check out the stems in the store. Choose flowers with white or green stems, which means they’re freshly cut. If the stems are dark, curling or brittle, they’ve probably been there awhile and won’t live as long.

Pamper Your Flowers at Home. 

Once your flowers are home, give them special attention! Prolong the life of your fresh flowers and reap the health benefits longer with these six tips.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

We could all use some extra cash, am I right? Getting strict with your budget can certainly help you save money, but that’s not the only approach! A few tweaks to your lifestyle and a little organization can help pad your bank account.

Here are five organization ideas that can save you money:

Create a Mail System

If you have a stack of bills…somewhere in your house… chances are you’ll eventually miss a payment. Or worse, lose a bill. To avoid mail chaos and bill pay panic, create a mail system. That way, you’ll always be aware of what is owed when and avoid late fees. To make things even easier, skip the paper entirely and sign up for automatic withdrawal to pay bills. 

Potential savings: $34 per bill paid on time (an average credit card bill late fee)

Get to Know Your Clothes

When it come to clothes, we typically stick to certain “looks,” but that doesn’t mean you need to own five black sweaters! Take the time to organize your closet and remind yourself what you already own. That way, the next time you’re partaking in a little retail therapy, you’ll avoid buying a repeat item by accident.

Potential savings: $70 per sweater not purchased

Store Your Coupons Digitally

Paper coupons are great in theory, but actually keeping up with them can be a hassle. Instead of a box or binder, try the free app SnipSnap. To use the app, take a picture of it with your phone when you get a paper coupon. The coupon is then stored and organized by store. So, for example, when you walk into Kroger, all of your Kroger coupons will be saved for you.

Potential savings: $10 per week at the grocery store

Plan Meals in Advance

Over the weekend (or whenever you have a consistent 30 minute gap of free time) plan a menu for the week. Then, buy all of the groceries you’ll need at once. That way, you won’t be stressed to find something to eat last minute, which often leads to a restaurant, or takeout. And neither of those help your wallet!

Tip: Give your fridge a onceover before you head to the grocery store. Not only will you save some cash by not doubling up on items, you may save some veggies that are on the verge of expiration.

Potential savings: $8 per person, per meal (the average difference between eating out and cooking at home)

Be Proactive About Gifts

Let’s say you want to buy your sister a shirt from J. Crew for her birthday. Which is tomorrow. You’re pretty much doomed to a mall trip where you’ll pay whatever price they’re offering.

But, if you plan ahead, you can snag that shirt when J. Crew is having one of its many sales! Tip: This works especially well for the holidays because you’ll also avoid the stress of shopping for so many people at once.

Potential savings: $21, if you snag a $70 J. Crew sweater on a 30% off sale!

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

We are pumped for spring cleaning! What better time to clear out all of that winter dust and bring the fresh feel of spring into your home? If you’re geared up and ready to go, here are ten “must-clean” areas of your home. Let this checklist be your guide as you spruce things up!.

Ready to rock your cleaning socks off? Tackle these ten things!

Want some spring cleaning extra credit? Take care of these areas, too!

Doorknobs. All that hand-traffic opens the door to tons of germs!

Washing machine. Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but who cleans your washing machine?

Garage. It’s normal for a garage to turn into a glorified storage closet, but with a clean garage you can utilize the space to its fullest potential.

Refrigerator coils. Letting your refrigerator’s coils get dirty is kind of like pinching someone’s nose shut and telling them to do jumping jacks – not nice!

Toys. Batman and Barbie deserve a little spa treatment, too! Depending on the type, you may be able to wash your kid’s toys in the dishwasher!

Clothes Iron. Over time, the soleplate of your iron gets covered in a yellowish film that can be transferred onto your clothes!

Coffee maker. Remove old coffee grounds, oils and hard water deposits that are ruining the taste of your coffee!

Plant leaves. Dust off the leaves of your houseplants so that they can soak up the sunlight and make your home a healthier place.

Shower curtain. Put a stop to mold, mildew and that nasty layer of soap scum that’s cramping your shower curtain’s style!

Remote control. All that couch surfing can lead to a gunky remote control. Take yours apart and clean all of the individual parts, including the plastic buttons.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

We don’t want to get all mushy or anything, but you’re one-of-a-kind! And that means you have unique wants and needs.

There are a lot of mobile apps out there focusing on personalization, and some do a better job than others. We pulled together seven of our favorites – each one will help you customize a different facet of your daily life. Here they are!

Sworkit (Your Fitness)

Sworkit can help you get fit, regardless of how much time you have or where you are. After downloading the app, you can choose what type of training you’re after (strength, cardio, yoga), your workout (full body, core, lower body) and the amount of time you have (anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes). That’s it! Sworkit will curate a set of exercises just for you.

Available in: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Apps

BrightNest (Your Home)

The latest version of BrightNest takes home customization to a new level with the Interactive Home Quiz. The app serves up a series of simple “yes or no” questions about your home and delivers a personalized tip based on each response.

BrightNest also allows you to create custom to-dos and set recurring reminders, so whether you want to reorganize your tool shed twice a year or clean your fish tank once a week, BrightNest will help you get it done.

Available in: iTunes

Mint (Your Finances)

Mint helps you understand exactly where your money is going. Once securely synced with your bank accounts, Mint creates a customized budget based on personal spending. Then, the app gives you the freedom to choose your own budget limits.

Whether you need to adjust your spending to include a new hobby (hello, new pottery wheel) or simply track your meals out, Mint makes it easy.

Available in: iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Apps, Windows Store

mySkin (Your Skincare)

The mySkin app demystifies skincare by creating a personalized routine based on your skin. When you sign up for mySkin, you’re prompted to answer questions about your skin type (dry or oily), skin color, hair color and past skin problems (like acne, blackheads or scars). The app then serves up a skincare routine that’s right for you and recommends products.

Available in: iTunes, Windows Store

Ness (Your Food)

When you sign up for Ness, they’ll prompt you to select the types of foods you like and the types you hate. After that, Ness will serve up restaurant recommendations, and allow you to rate places you’ve already tried. Every time you rate a place you’ve eaten (it’s kind of like Netflix for restaurants), their recommendations for you will improve.

Available in: iTunes

Lumosity (Your Brain)

Do you have trouble remembering people’s names? What about doing quick math in your head or switching between different tasks? Lumosity can help you get better at each of these things (or all three!).

When you create an account, Lumosity prompts you to select the different aspects of your brain that you’d like to train. Then, they send you a customized workout routine every day. Then, you can set training reminders at a time that works for you.

Available in: iTunes

Keep (Your Closet)

Love to shop but hate the mall? Keep personalizes the shopping experience by bringing styles you’ll actually wear into one app. To customize your experience, choose brands, stores and looks that fit your personal style. Then, under the MyFeed tab, you’ll see curated shoes, bags, clothes and home items for sale. When you scroll over an item you like, you can “Buy” or “Keep,” making sure you never miss a deal.

Available in: iTunes, Google Play

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Heads up – this year, allergy season is coming early! For many of us, the start of spring will mean warmer weather, outdoor activities and an appetite for all things grilled. But for the 40 million allergy sufferers in the United States, March will also bring wheezing, itchy eyes and painful sinus pressure.

Believe it or not, tree pollen is already on the rise in most parts of the United States. If you’re suffering from any hay fever symptoms, blame your favorite trees – their pollen is king during the spring allergy season, followed closely by grass and ragweed.

If you’re feeling the pain every time you inhale, make your house an allergy-free zone. By doing a few chores before allergy season is in full swing, you’ll be able to avoid a lot of the uncomfortable symptoms! 

1. Shut Your Doors and Windows

Tree pollen frequently comes right through your front door, so keep your doors and windows shut! Inspect your windows and make sure there aren’t any cracks. If you spot a few, a quick caulk mission will fix the problem.

2. Change Your Air Filters

Think of your air filter as the bouncer at an exclusive club – it’s crucial if you want to keep pesky allergens off the dance floor (the dance floor is the air in your house). It takes less than two minutes to change your air filter, and they’re usually less than $30, so this one is a cinch!

3. Inspect Your Air Ducts 

Your air ducts pump air around your house like Arnold pumps iron, and all of that moving air can make your air ducts dirty. Clean ductwork translates to better indoor air quality and less dust and allergens floating around, so take 30 minutes out of your day and inspect your ducts before allergy season arrives in full force:

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

A new home is an exciting fresh start. Actually moving into that new home, however, can be a huge pain.

To add to the stress of shuffling houses, it’s hard to keep your carbon footprint low when you’re dealing with cardboard boxes, tape, bubble wrap and Styrofoam.

Keep your move “green” with these tips:

Look for Green Peanuts

Yes, we literally mean green-colored packing peanuts. The moving industry got together and decided to be really obvious with their packaging, so the green-colored items are often biodegradable, recycled or derived from renewable resources like vegetable oils.

Always read the label to make sure, but grabbing green packing peanuts is typically going to be a safe bet!

Rent Boxes

Cardboard boxes are a pain for several reasons:

1. If you can’t find them for free, you have to pay for them.
2. There’s a high probability that the bottom of your box will break if you move anything heavy. And there goes your stuff!
3. They take at least two months to decompose in a landfill, which isn’t great on the conscience.

Instead, go plastic! Services like ZippGo.com will deliver plastic boxes to your house, then pick them up when you’re done moving for as little as $99. You’ll save time hunting down boxes and avoid broken-bottom situations during the move.  

Give Best Buy Your Old TV

Often times, moving means you get to upgrade your things. If you’re considering new electronics or appliances for your new home, give Best Buy a call. Through their recycling program, they’ll take nearly “all electronics and large appliances” off of your hands at no charge. Staples also has a similar program.

Donate Used Boxes

If you decide to use cardboard boxes during your move, no worries! You can lower your carbon footprint after the move by donating your gently used boxes.

Most moving companies will gladly take those boxes off of your hands. You can also post them on Craigslist – most recipients will probably come to you to grab the boxes, so you can avoid a trip to the dump. 

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

If you’re gearing up for an annual spring cleaning session, we bet that the ‘ole oven is on your list. Cleaning your oven is one of those tasks that a lot of people dread doing, but there are ways to feel better about it! For example, getting the job done:

1. Without toxic chemicals.

2. Without scrubbing your arm out of its socket.

This is not a spring-cleaning myth! It can be done.

Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups baking soda
• ½ cup white vinegar
• ½ cup liquid dish soap
• Sponge
• Large-bristled paintbrush

Here’s what you do:

1. Mix all of your ingredients into a bowl. Then, slowly add water, stirring until everything forms a thick paste.

2. Remove all the racks from your oven (those, you have to clean separately).

3. Using your paintbrush, spread the paste over the entire interior surface of the oven.

4. Close the oven door and let the paste sit overnight (at least 8-10 hours).

5. Wipe the paste away with a wet sponge. It’s helpful to keep a bowl or bucket of water handy so you can dip frequently – the key to removing the paste is lots of water. Tip: If you run into any tough spots, try using a scrub brush instead of a sponge. You’ll get more leverage that way.

6. Clean off your paintbrush and admire your sparkly-clean oven. 

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

How is your home’s energy being used? Where is it going? If you’ve never conducted an energy audit, it might (literally) be going out of the window.

Conducting a home energy audit will help you pinpoint where your house is losing energy and what you can do about it. Some steps are easy as pie, but others may require a professional. So we’ve provided three levels of actions you can take for a more energy efficient (and more comfortable home). Let’s get started!

Easy: Get It Done in 5 Minutes, No Sweat

These three simple adjustments are a great start to changing your home energy use:  

1. Audit Energy Bills. The first step to an energy audit is understanding your household’s energy consumption. Check out your energy bills and come up with “base” number for how much energy is typically consumed during a billing cycle.

2. Inspect Windows. Move from room to room, inspecting all of your windows. Look for condensation buildup on the windowpanes. Then, wet your hand under a sink and run your hand along the perimeter of every window. The moisture on your hand will help you detect drafts instantly. Jot down any windows with leaks so you can seal them later.

3. Inspect Doors. Check all exterior doors for air leaks the same way you inspected your windows. Inspect the door’s weather stripping for air leaks, too, recording anything you find.

Moderate: Some minor adjustments, but nothing crazy

Now that you know where your home’s energy is going, it’s time to fix it! If you’re unhappy with your energy bills and want to actively lower your household’s energy consumption, try these improvements:

1. Seal Air Leaks. Use a caulk gun to seal leaks around any windows that had air leaks. Repair or replace any weather stripping along any exterior doors that showed signs of leaks.

2. Inspect the Furnace. Replace your furnace filters every three months and schedule a routine checkup for your furnace at least once a year. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system.

3. Regulate Fridge and Freezer Temps. The recommended temperature is 37-40 degrees for the fresh food compartment and 5 degrees for the freezer section. Any higher than this, and your refrigerator is working too hard!

Hard: These Require Some Handy Skills or a Professional

These are jobs that should only be tackled if you’re comfortable handling all of the steps yourself. Before you start, read over the instructions carefully. If you need a hand, hire a professional to help you with these projects:

1. Inspect Air Ducts. Clean ductwork means better indoor air quality and up to a 40 percent increase in your HVAC system’s efficiency. Inspect your air ducts at least once a year on your own or hire a professional to examine (and possibly clean) your ducts.

2. Install a Programmable Thermostat. Not only does a programmable thermostat make your life easier, it can save your about $180 a year on energy costs. Tip: If one room is always colder than the rest of your home, you may need to balance your central heating system. 

3. Hire a Professional Auditor. If you’d like a more in-depth look at your energy consumption, consider hiring a professional auditor to conduct a more thorough assessment. The professional will usually use several tools, including infrared cameras, manometers, digital probe thermometers and moisture meters to gauge how air, heat and moisture are working in your home.

Which level is right for you?

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

The past few years in real estate have been unpredictable. Between high foreclosures one year to low inventory in some major markets the next, it’s hard to tell where the market is going to go.

This year, we've found a few constants that everyone can agree upon for 2014. A few might surprise you! If you’re looking to buy a second home or buy a first one without it turning into a bidding war, 2014 may be your year.

1. Dodd-Frank Lending Changes

If you’re looking to get a mortgage in 2014, watch out. The lending changes in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act took effect on January 10. As an effort to prevent future housing meltdowns, they have some tight requirements for borrowers seeking what are now called “qualified mortgages.” One of the biggest changes is that lenders will be taking a closer looking at living expenses as well as your debt-to-income ratio, to make sure a borrower can make payments.

2. Expect Turnarounds

When it puts together its Turnaround Towns Report, Realtor.com crunches a lot of numbers, including nationwide median list prices in a variety of cities as well as the number of days properties for sale stay on the market. Based on this data, they’re frequently seeing signs of strength in areas that were previously hit hard by foreclosures or very high inventory.

3. Home Affordability will Decline

Home affordability isn’t just an issue in major markets like New York City and San Francisco, which are seeing median sales prices in the mid-to-upper six figures. The National Association of Realtors’ Home Affordability Index, which compares home prices with income, found that home affordability dropped to a five-year low in 2013 as increases in home prices outpaced income growth.

4. Don’t Count on Finding a Foreclosure

Fewer homeowners are losing their homes as the economy improves — and as lending rules tighten — so there aren’t as many foreclosure deals and short sales to be found.

5. It May be a Good Time to Buy a Second Home

The real estate market, particularly in places like Florida and Nevada, is seeing more inventory, but listing prices are well below the national average. This is ideal if you’ve always dreamed of having a vacation home but worried about affordability.

In Fort Lauderdale, for instance, prices have gone up 29 percent in the last year, but still remain below the national median list price. This means demand continues to be high, but sellers have not yet taken advantage of the increase in demand. Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas are also showing similar trends. 

Read more about what's happening in real estate at LearnVest.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Think about this: Most of the days in your life will probably begin or end with a shower.

Your bathing routine can be the perfect start (or end) to your day, but a so-so shower setup can start you off on the wrong foot. So, if you’re not 100 percent stoked about your current situation, try one of these big-impact additions.

Since everyone’s shower budget is different, we collected ideas from a range of prices. Choose the upgrade that works best for you!

1. Eucalyptus Experience: $10

If you’re into woodsy scents and a natural atmosphere, eucalyptus is for you. Simply purchase a bundle of eucalyptus (available at most flower and natural grocery stores) and hang it in your shower where it won’t get wet. Humidity from the steamy water will cause the plant to release its essential oils, giving you a therapeutic experience with no extra effort.

2. Shower Caddy Upgrade: $50

If you’re living a caddy-less existence (or your current storage rack has a distinct “dorm room vibe”), an upgrade will make a big difference. I use the Zenith Kemp Caddy ($50) because it’s large enough for all of my stuff, and also has nice spots to hang several razors. Plus, I’ve had some bad tension rod experiences in the past, so this over-the-shower model is my jam. 

But, if you love tension rods, we’ve heard good things about this slightly more expensive model by simplehuman.

3. Singing Showerhead: $150

Would you be happier if your showers came with musical accompaniment? Probably. To test the waters, bring a stereo or phone into the bathroom with you and pump some tunes (or news, podcasts, audio books, etc.) just to see how you like it.

If you dig the experience, you may want to invest in a Bluetooth showerhead (especially because the stereo/phone set-up will be difficult to hear). The Kohler Moxie Showerhead is one of the most popular options on the market, so that’s a good place to start looking. However, if you have a cutting-edge showerhead you don’t want to part with, consider a suction-cup stereo instead.

Tip: Whatever you choose, make sure you keep the volume control near the shower – it’s going to sound extremely loud once you shut the water off!

4. Toasty Bathroom Floors: $2,000 and Up

You may associate heated bathroom floors with luxury hotels and Mark Zuckerberg’s house, but they’re not actually that out of reach! If you have a healthy budget ($2,000- $15,000 depending on the system you install), radiant floor heating (RFH) can be yours, too.  

So, if icy-cold tiles are consistently making your shower exits less enjoyable, radiant floor heating may be just the thing.

Tip: Like all remodeling projects, there are benefits and drawbacks to RFH. For more information, check out this article weighing pros and cons of heating your bathroom floor by Angie’s List.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.