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REAL ESTATE

Market value assessment Appraisal provides protection for buyer, lender | Page 6

[METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]

BLUEBERRIES: WHAT A THRILL, PAGE 2

DECOR REFLECTS TRAVELS, PAGE 7

STEP OUT WITH FLOOR ART, PAGE 8

2 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Check soil pH before planting blueberries CHECK IT OUT

Ariel Whitely-Noll For additional fruit, plant more varieties in your patch Although non-native, blueberries can be grown in eastern Kansas if gardeners are willing to work and plan ahead.

For those who were inspired to start a food forest with pawpaws — see the Feb. 10 gardening column — blueberries would make an excellent shrub to layer in.

A relative to azaleas and rhododendrons, blueberries require an acidic pH, between 4.8 and 5.2. Most eastern Kansas soils will have a higher pH than blueberries prefer, so an essential first step is a soil test to determine how much your soil’s pH will need to be reduced.

For a soil pH up to 5.5, you can add sphagnum peat moss to lower the pH. An amendment of 2 cubic feet per 100 square feet will be adequate.

If your pH is between 5.5 and 6.0, add 1 pound of sulfur per 100 square feet in addition to the peat moss. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 can be amended with 1 1/2 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet.

Any pH above 6.5 can be lowered with 2 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet, along with doubling the amount of sphagnum peat moss earlier suggested.

Aluminum sulfate should be avoided when correcting soil pH, because excessive levels of aluminum can be toxic to blueberries.

Sulfur can be applied as a dust, but pelletized sulfur is much easier to spread.

With a row width of 5 feet, treat only the soil in the row in which you will plant.

Blueberry plants also should be spaced 5 feet apart.

Although blueberries can be planted in spring or fall, sulfur takes time to react with the soil to lower the pH. Allow as much time as possible between sulfur applications and planting. Fall soil amendment and spring planting is the preferred timing.

• For soil test information: shawnee.kstate.edu/lawn-garden/soil-testing. html • For more information on growing blueberries: hnr.k-state.edu/doc/extension-gardening-tips/Blueberry%20 Production.pdf

In addition to pH adjustment, organic matter should be incorporated into the row. If adding sphagnum peat moss was part of your soil amending, that will suffice for organic matter.

Like many fruits, blueberries with bear more fruit if you plant more than one variety. There are many recommended varieties, but Bluecrop and Patriot are adaptable and well-suited for Kansas.

Unlike many plants, blueberries don’t have root hairs, so watering and mulching well are essential. Sawdust, straw and wood chips make suitable mulch for blueberries.

Sawdust combined with wood chips is a winning combination. If any sawdust is used, make sure to rake the mulch every few weeks to avoid creating a cake-like layer that prevents water penetration.

Mulch at a depth of 3 inches, and consider adding a drip or trickle irrigation system under the mulch. Moist, but never waterlogged soils keep blueberries happy.

Peat moss incorporated into the planting row will elevate the planting bed, so standing water shouldn’t be an issue.

See BLUEBERRIES, 3

Although not native to Kansas, blueberries can be grown in the eastern part of the Sunflower State if gardeners are willing to plan ahead. The first step? Check the soil’s pH level. [METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]

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BLUEBERRIES From Page 2

During Kansas summers, watering twice a week — with enough water to wet the soil to a depth of 8 inches — should suffice. In cooler spring and fall temperatures, once-a-week watering will work.

Mulch also will help control weeds, but if any emerge around the plants, they should be removed. Weeds can be serious water competition for blueberries.

With all the soil amendments needed prior to planting blueberries, no fertilizer should be added during planting.

During the spring and summer, blueberries do best with a frequent, light application of nitrogen. (For specific application amounts, visit the website listed in the accompanying breakout box.)

For those seeking a fresh

blueberry flavor with less hassle, consider planting blueberries in a container.

Container varieties are generally half-high plants that are the result of a cross between highbush and lowbush blueberry species. The pH needs for container blueberries are the same, between 4.8 and 5.2.

For containers, blueberries can be grown in just sphagnum peat moss, if all nutrients are provided. An easier mix is half sphagnum peat moss and half potting soil, which will provide nutrients and a heavier, more wind-resistant pot.

Containers as small as 2 gallons can be used for blueberries, but larger containers will offer more wind stabilization and provide a larger moisture reserve.

As with traditionally planted blueberries, water is essential for container blueberries.

Potting soil should be kept moist. When you’re choosing a spot for your blueberry

container, pick one that is easily watered. A container near a garden hose or in a spot you’ll see daily are good options.

Although blueberries are winter-hardy, their roots aren’t. Pots should be moved to an unheated garage, or you can bury them in soil or mulch in early November. Water periodically throughout the winter.

As with your planted blueberries, multiple varieties near each other will increase fruit crop yields of container blueberries. Top Hat and Northsky are suitable varieties. Each will grow to be about 18 inches tall, although Northsky will grow wider than Top Hat. Northblue is a higher fruitbearing variety that can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet. North Country is intermediate — 18 to 24 inches high — and produces a moderate amount of fruit.

Sheltering your container

blueberries from wind will decrease their water needs and the chances of leaf scorch.

Allow six to eight hours of sun exposure, preferably from the north or east.

Ariel Whitely-Noll is the horticulture agent for Shawnee County Research and Extension. She can be reached at arielw@ksu.edu.

M A R K YO U R CA L E N DA R The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners is presenting a pair of free programs in March at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. • March 1: “Trees,” 7 p.m.

• March 22: “Spring Lawn Care,” 7 p.m.

Information: shawnee.ksu.edu/ lawn-garden/master-gardener; (785) 232-0062

4 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

What do window performance ratings mean?

Labels ensure windows comply with standards

By Megan Linhoff Angie's List

If you're in the market for new home windows, you're probably hearing a lot about window performance. And if you're not well-versed in window technologies, you may be wondering just what that means.

In a nutshell, performance ratings measure a window's energy efficiency. They tell you how well a certain window will regulate the flow of heat, light and air entering and escaping your home.

To understand window performance, you should be looking for two important labels: the Energy Star label and the NFRC

certification label.

The Energy Star label proves a window has been independently certified and verified to perform at levels that meet or exceed energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Zone climate zone map will help you choose windows specifically suited to perform in the type of climate in which you live.

The NFRC certification label verifies conformance with standards set by the National Fenestration Rating Council, a nonprofit organization that independently assesses and issues ratings for window products. NFRC ratings provide detailed information regarding a window's critical performance factors, See WINDOWS, 5

High-performing windows will increase your home’s energy efficiency, resulting in improved comfort and reduced heating and cooling costs. [DREAMSTIME]

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WINDOWS From Page 4

expressed in these values: • U-factor: A U-factor, which ranges from 0.20 to 1.20, tells you how well a window will keep heat from escaping the inside of a room. The lower the number, the better the heat retention. A window with a U-factor of 0.15, for example, offers better insulating properties than a window with a U-factor of 0.30.

• Solar heat gain coefficient: The solar heat gain coefficient, which ranges from 0 to 1, measures how well a window can resist unwanted solar heat gain — heat generated from sunlight coming into the window. The lower the number, the less you'll spend on cooling in warmer temperatures.

A window with an SHGC of 0.35, for example, will allow more heat to pass through the window than a product with an SHGC of 0.27.

• Visible transmittance: Visible transmittance,

which ranges from 0 to 1, measures how well a window will light your home with daylight. The higher the number, the more light is transmitted.

So, a window with a VT rating of 0.50 will allow less light into your home than a window with a VT rating of 0.75.

• Air leakage: The air leakage rating, which ranges from 0.1 to 0.3, indicates how much air may be allowed through cracks in the window assembly. The lower the air leakage rating, the less air will pass through the

cracks.

• Condensation: You also may see a condensation rating on the NFRC label. This rating, which ranges from 0 to 100, is optional for manufacturers to include. The higher this number, the better the window resists condensation.

Alone or combined, certain window technologies can lower U-factor or SHGC values to increase energy efficiency.

Low-emissivity glass coatings reduce both the amount of heat and the amount of UV radiation

that is allowed to pass through the window glass, for example. And double- or triple-pane configurations contain a layer — or layers — of air or inert gas that is sealed between the inner and outer panes to insulate the window and slow the passage of heat.

Ultimately, high-performing windows offer a number of benefits, including reduced energy costs and fabric fading, increased natural light, and improved insulation and comfort throughout your home.

6 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

HOUSE BUYING

Appraisal protects both lender, buyer Appraiser should be objective, state-licensed

By Shanna Sloyer Special to The Capital-Journal

Scheduling a real estate appraisal is one of the first steps most mortgage lenders take before approving a loan on a property.

The appraisal establishes a property’s market value, or estimated price it would garner if sold. This not only protects the lender from risky lending, but it also protects the home buyer from purchasing a property for more than it’s really worth on the current market.

An appraisal offers reassurance to the lender and the buyer that the money invested will be recouped when the property sells.

An appraiser, who is a state-licensed professional, should be an objective party without any financial interest in the real estate transaction. The cost of the appraisal is often the responsibility of the buyer, either up front or as part of closing costs.

“Normally, an appraisal is required by the lender prior to giving a mortgage,” said Erica Lichtenauer, a Realtor with Countrywide Realty, 2030 S.W. McAlister Ave. “However, a cash

sale and a contract for deed may or may not require an appraisal.”

According to Lichtenauer, even if a buyer is forgoing the lending process by paying cash for a property, the buyer may still request and negotiate the price of an appraisal into the contract to protect their interests in the transaction and establish market value.

An appraisal isn’t the same as a comparative market analysis, which is based on selling prices for similar homes as reported on the multiple listing service in the same area. Real estate agents often conduct comparative market analysis to help clients establish realistic expectations for what they should list or offer for a property they are selling or buying.

An appraisal also isn’t the same as a home inspection. A home inspection is initiated by the prospective buyer to reveal any potential issues with the property before closing.

The report from the home inspection can help buyers negotiate repairs or a lower selling price, but it doesn’t establish the overall value of the home.

“The appraiser is hired by the lender.

(The lender) is the appraiser’s client, to establish market value of the home for loan purposes,” Lichtenauer said.

The appraiser will

visit the property they are appraising and evaluate its location, the land around it and any structures on the property. When the appraisal is completed, the lender, the prospective buyer and the seller receive a detailed report based on the appraiser’s findings, which ultimately includes his or her estimate of how much the property is worth.

Final approval for a loan often is dependent on a satisfactory appraisal. If a property appraises lower than the listed sale price, a lender may back out of the loan.

Other potential appraisal pitfalls could include a property that has been on the market significantly longer than other homes in the same area.

Additionally, if the entrance to the property can be accessed only via a private or shared drive, the lender may require a road maintenance agreement that outlines the maintenance responsibility for all parties involved to avoid costly litigation in the future.

Lichtenauer recommends a seller have their home ready for an appraisal prior to putting it on the market — and in the same condition in which they would show it to potential buyers. This includes taking care of any necessary repairs or cosmetic issues ahead of time.

An appraisal establishes a property’s market value and offers reassurance to the lender and the buyer that the money invested will be recouped when the property sells. [METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]

The seller should keep the home “show ready” until all inspections and the appraisal have been completed.

“Make the home available during normal business hours and have all utilities on and operational,” she said.

“Inform the appraiser of any repairs, modifications, upgrades,

remodeling and special features which may not be readily visible.”

When a seller disagrees with the appraiser’s assessment of a property’s worth, an appraisal can be appealed.

“If the seller questions the value given in the appraisal, the seller can ask for a

Reconsideration of Value from the lender, who in turn may or may not request the same from the appraiser,” Lichtenauer said.

Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@yahoo.com.

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Travels provide inspiration for home decor Consider photos and souvenirs as design elements

By Melissa Kossler Dutton The Associated Press

When Melissa Smuzynski learned she was going to have a baby, she wanted a nursery that reflected her family’s love of travel. But when she and her husband, Damon Lane, went shopping for appropriate decor a few years ago, they didn’t find much.

So they improvised, using luggage tags and airmail envelopes to create wall hangings. They found a fun suitcase to display in the room and decoupaged a table with maps and travel-oriented scrapbook paper.

The look came together pretty easily and inexpensively, said Smuzynski, who gave birth to daughter Avery in February 2015.

“It was more budgetfriendly than if we had gone with a pre-assembled theme.

This reflected who we are,” said Smuzynski, who wrote a blogpost about the effort on her website, parenthoodandpassports.com. “Travel has always been a significant part of our lives.”

In just a few years, the trend seems to have taken off.

“When I go into Hobby Lobby, there’s an entire section that looks exactly like her room,” said Smuzynski, of Oklahoma City.

Many interior decorators, home goods manufacturers and trend spotters have embraced the travel theme.

Some people decorate with pieces they bought on vacation or that remind them of past trips. Others simply go to the store for furniture, lighting and other elements that evoke the look and feel of

places they’ve visited.

It’s all part of a trend toward making decor personal and customized, said Donna Garlough, style director for Wayfair, an online home goods store.

“These days, people crave homes that speak to them and their interests rather than one that was decorated in one fell swoop. And travel is one of those things that can really shape you, so it’s no wonder people want to reflect their favorite memories and destinations in their home’s decor,” said Garlough, whose book, “Your Home, Your Style” (Rizzoli USA), will be published this spring.

Laura Casey, of Laura Casey Interiors in Charlotte, N.C., designed a dining room inspired by a zebra photograph that clients had purchased during a trip to Africa. She incorporated complementary colors, textures and patterns, using Moroccan-inspired tiles to help the room feel travelinspired and eclectic.

Wall hangings are an easy way to add travel elements to a room. Consider framing one of your photos or buying a print or art piece while traveling, Casey said.

“One of my clients has family photographs from many countries they have visited. In their kitchen and den, we made small gallery groupings to represent each trip,” she said. “It keeps the room casual and familyfriendly, while also allowing the family to be reminded of their adventures.”

Souvenirs are an obvious way to reference your travel, said Danielle Whitburn, a freelance writer for HomeDesigning.com. But there are other options, as well.

“I love pieces that make a subtle nod to another place or memory — a bicycle bookend

that reminds you of riding by the shore, for example, or a pillow that reminds you of the color of a certain lake or sea,” said Whitburn, who lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Garlough agrees.

“Rather than collecting souvenir spoons and refrigerator magnets like their parents and grandparents, today’s shoppers are incorporating their travel memories in bigger ways, such as an abstract landscape that reminds them of a hiking trip or whimsical pillows with a beach motif,” she said. “It’s a subtle, constant reminder that they can appreciate every day.”

Of course, it’s also possible to achieve this look without ever leaving home. Moroccan leather ottomans, Persian rugs and Mexican artwork are distinctive elements that evoke a sense of place and can

A room is decorated with Global wallpaper available from Wayfair.

[WAYFAIR VIA AP]

be bought online or at a store, Whitburn said.

As for souvenirs, today’s travelers often have a more global approach than in the past.

“As traveling increases (in) popularity, we are seeing more pieces outside the traditional tourist haunts in Europe and North America,” she said.

Laura Casey, of Laura Casey Interiors in Charlotte, N.C., designed this dining room to complement the up-close African photograph of the zebra. [STEPHEN YOUNG/LAURA CASEY/LAURA CASEY INTERIORS VIA AP]

8 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Floors become showcases for artistic designs

By Kim Cook The Associated Press

There was a time when designers and decorators considered floor coverings to be background elements in a room. Rugs and tile were meant to be practical, not attention-getting.

That’s changed. Now, the floor is often one of the strongest elements in a space.

Today’s wide range of artistic floor designs often are inspired by art and nature.

“Painterly rugs with evocative strokes and striking color combinations are often the perfect foundation for many of our room designs,” said Jamie Drake, who runs the Drake/ Anderson design firm in New York with his colleague, Caleb Anderson. “These rugs help bring a room to life and, with their movement and color, accentuate the other design elements in the space.

“There’s something galvanizing (about having art underfoot). It envelops an interior in a way that wallmounted artwork cannot.”

Stark Carpet has a Brueghelesque floral rug called Botanique; the rich, deep hues of an Old Master’s palette are brought to life in softly loomed wool. Their Sapphire collection includes Ether, inspired

by American artist Helen Frankenthaler’s Abstract Expressionist stain painting.

And there’s Peppy, inspired

by Willem de Kooning’s 1955 work “Police Gazette,” with various hand knots reflecting movement and drama via textural elements.

Turkish rug maker Stepevi pixellates bird-wing imagery, which is then loomed into a textural rug in a palette of seven hues. On another rug, blossoms are rendered in gold against a graphite background, suggesting dawn breaking.

An embossing technique is applied during the tufting process to create a rich, tactile pile that highlights the pattern.

Glass and ceramic tiles are another good medium for floor art, with their smooth textures and a range of size possibilities from tiny mosaics to large slabs.

“Tile is super-durable, so regardless of design, floors will look beautiful and withstand wear and tear for many years,” said Alena Capra, a designer in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Thin tile products can be installed over existing floor tiles, making it easier than ever to give floors a stylish makeover.”

Italian architect Paola Marella said: “Technological progress has expanded the range of finishes available for ceramic tiles. For example, digital printing ... has extended the confines of images beyond the individual piece. But screen-printed and hand-printed tiles retain their appeal.”

That appeal is especially apparent when the artist’s technique is obvious, as in Ornamenta’s Manifesto collection of porcelain tiles screen-printed with abstract images that were initially rendered free-hand on canvas.

Settecento’s Animalier collection features python, cheetah and leopard-skin prints on large porcelain tiles.

And Italian company Sicis

offers intriguing mosaic collections patterned like realistic feathers or lizard skin.

If you like the look of tile but you rent or can’t otherwise use the real deal, consider Home Smith’s Beija Flor vinyl mats.

They come printed with a range of patterns like encaustic, mosaic and geometrics.

It’s flooring that looks like a master craftsman or artist spent hours working on it.

Ornamenta’s Manifesto collection of porcelain tiles are screen-printed with abstract images initially rendered freehand on canvas. [ORNAMENTA

Designer Jamie Drake, who runs the Drake/Anderson design firm in Manhattan with his colleague, Caleb Anderson, says, “This cozy library with dramatic navy walls is energized in a distinct and artful way by the dynamic carpet underneath — it also perfectly pulls together the room’s details.” [MARCO RICCA/

VIA AP]

DRAKE/ANDERSON VIA AP]

Cooking up a plan to save water Kitchen faucets need to be efficient, too

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: My proposed kitchen remodel will include new appliances, countertops, sink and faucet. Since I plan to use efficient appliances, I also want an efficient kitchen faucet. Can you please go over some water-saving kitchen faucet information for me to think about?

— Sasha, Mississippi A: In past years, water-saving

kitchen faucets haven’t received as much attention as water-saving bathroom faucets.

The thinking was: In the kitchen, a lot of the water use was to fill things like pots for cooking and cups for drinking. What difference would it make if the faucet used less gallons per minute, because the end goal was to fill up the pot or cup?

However, even with a dishwasher, pots, pans, cups and dishes get washed in the sink as well.

So, because every drop counts, there is a new push to

start installing water-saving kitchen faucets. Usually an efficient kitchen faucet uses less than 1.9 gallons per minute.

But, don’t be a drip. Check local codes and choose an approved water-saving kitchen faucet for your area.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@ cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

Usually an efficient kitchen faucet uses less than 1.9 gallons of water per minute. [KOHLER]

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, February 24, 2018 9

Design accents: All that

glitters is gold this spring

Lupines can help rejuvenate gardens Plants able to get nitrogen from air

By Maureen Gilmer Trbune News Service

Gold artwork paired with a gold accent piece helps make this entry area shine. The addition of an organic element — a container of succulents — also adds interest. [DESIGN RECIPES]

Experiment with accents of varying sizes

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Gold has long been associated with luxury and glamour. And it’s currently one of the hottest — and most utilized — finishes in home decor.

Gold or brass accents remain more popular than ever and can serve as the perfect complement to your existing decor. When looking for ways to incorporate gold accents into your home, here are some basic design rules to keep in mind.

Things to do

• Use gold as accents in accessory items, such as toss

pillows.

• Consider infusing gold or brass accents through the use of artwork, either in the artwork itself or in the frame.

• Consider using gold in a series of similar accent pieces, such as a long row of mirrors hung in a space.

• Incorporate small gold accents in smaller surface areas, such as nightstands or bookcases.

• Experiment with accent pieces of different sizes and shapes.

Avoid these things

• Don’t overdo it. In many cases, less is more. Use your gold accents purposefully and sparingly.

• Don’t use gold on too many primary or large pieces in a room. It can be

overwhelming.

• Don’t miss an opportunity to mix gold with other metallic elements, such as silver.

• Don’t forget it’s OK to mix different materials, such as lacquer and wood, with some of your gold elements.

• Avoid pairing gold accents with too many patterns. Solid colors, such as black and white, can help enhance gold accent pieces.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@ cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com.

If your land has been charred, saturated, salinified, dehydrated, liquified, bulldozed or frozen by extreme weather, you may need to revegetate.

The sooner it is stabilized with living things, the less soil damage will occur in the long term. Start with great looking native perennials for interest and color to chase away the disaster blues.

Certain plants are called colonizers, because they are the first to show up in disturbed places. Lupine is the most well-known.

Lupine is a species of western wildflowers that range from short annuals to semi-woody perennials.

What makes them so special is not just their epic blue flowers, but also their means of obtaining nitrogen, which allows them to survive in disaster areas.

Lupines are among the legumes, which include peas and beans. You’ll know this by the pods that follow lupine flowers. Legumes have a unique ability to use atmospheric nitrogen in lieu of soil nitrogen due to an unusual mycorrhizal relationship in its roots.

In the past, lupines were called “wolf flowers” because they grew where no other wildflowers dare to sprout.

The ancients noticed this and believed lupines chased away all other plants around them.

Modern science proved it was simply that lupine survives, even thrives, in barren ground where little else will.

A perfect example is the

Silver lupine is named for its vivid silvery foliage. In the past, lupines were called “wolf flowers” because they grew where no other wildflowers dare to sprout.

[MAUREEN GILMER/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]

plethora of lupine that tend to hug roadsides in dense mats of low purple flowers. These are the annual species that thrive on moisture trapped beneath the paving. It seeps out in the gravelly shoulders long after rain ceases to fall.

This virtually infertile verge catches all the seed to create incredibly dense annual lupine displays flanking pavement.

Mixed lupine wildflower seed can be distributed by hand over any site to assist in revegetation. Not only will the annuals thrive in burned over earth, but they also may self-sow and begin a permanent colony. However, depending on rainfall, the germination rates can be altered by too much or too little moisture at critical times.

Plant perennial lupine from small, nursery-grown specimens as soon as the ground can be worked this spring.

Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer.

Learn more at MoPlants. com. Contact her at mogilmer@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 891, Morongo Valley, Calif. 92256.

10 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Home’s scent reflects its owner Smell is often the first thing visitors notice

By Kelsey Clark Domaine

We typically observe a person’s clothing, body language and general outward appearance — however unconsciously — to compose our first impression of them. But walking into someone’s home is arguably a more telling experience.

From the decor to the atmosphere, you

can learn a lot about a person by the way they choose to keep their home.

Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply trying to cultivate a warm, inviting undercurrent in your home, there are a few things you should prioritize. As Angela Elias, Popsugar Living’s content director, reports, the smell of your home is usually the first thing people notice when walking through your front door.

“Whether you’re concerned about

the fish you cooked the night before or your dog skipping a bath — or worse, the scents you’ve become noseblind to — put your mind at ease by lighting a candle or simmering a small pot of citrus peels and cinnamon sticks a half hour before guests arrive,” Elias said.

Smell aside, Elias claims people visiting your home then notice the entryway; the clutter or lack thereof; fresh flowers; the decor; and how tidy your bathroom is.

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12 Saturday, February 24, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com