7 Must-Have Home Organization Tools

House of the Week: A Mill Workers' Home Turned Modern Mansion

Tucked between two expansive local parks, this estate is barely recognizable as the humble textile mill workers’ cottage it was built as in 1835.

Back then, it was a duplex of sorts, housing two families and set amid many other homes of its type - part of a village built around the mill. Now it’s a single-family home on nearly five acres amid parkland. It maintains its original stone appeal from the front, but otherwise is a modern home complete with reinforced concrete piers, walls of glass and steel beams. It’s on the market for $4.299 million.

A Philadelphia doctor who bought the home in 1910 converted it into a single-family dwelling. He turned the surrounding homes and buildings into a sanitarium called Gladwyne Colony. The facility eventually closed, and in the 1960s, a neighbor (who was also a Campbell Soup heir) bought the property and tore down all the buildings except this home.

The current owner bought it in the early 1990s and “blew the back out.” Only the front and side walls of the 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home are original, said Dennis Milstein.

All the windows and skylights provide a feeling of connection to nature, even from inside the 6,500-square-foot home, he said. It’s also filled with light, despite being in a valley. “Natural light pours in from the skylights,” he said. Even at night, “it mimics what it would be like if you weren’t inside a building at all.”

The property has been landscaped so that the woods almost envelop the home, and Milstein loves that there’s virtually no yardwork. “We don’t have any lawn whatsoever - no grass, no lawnmowers, no leaf raking,” he said. “Everything goes back to nature.”

Most of the heating and cooling are geothermal, he said, and the estate is just a 15-minute drive from Philadelphia. “If there’s any quality about this house that’s more special than anything else, it would have to be it’s location - because that’s not replaceable.”

The listing agent is Lisa Weber Yakulis of Kurfiss/Sotheby’s International Realty. She also holds the listing for the former Campbell Soup estate, at $19.5 million.

Photos by Jim Albert.

Related:

• A 216-Year-Old Bridgehampton Estate
• A Peaceful Seaside Mansion in Santa Barbara
• An Austin Estate That Tech Built

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/mill-worker-cottage-to-modern-198649/
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Don't Leave Your Pets Hanging: How to Hire a Pet Sitter

While the leisure industry may put out the welcome mat for pets across America, it's not always possible to take them with you when you travel. The biggest dilemma is finding someone responsible and caring to pet sit in your absence.

These days, with companies such as DogVacay, CatVacay, Rover.com and Fetch.com, it's easier than ever to find a professional caregiver in your neighborhood.

Like Airbnb - for pets

If you’ve ever picked up your dog from a kennel after your vacation and received a massive bill and a very unhappy dog, you’ll immediately understand the value of startups like DogVacay and Rover.

DogVacay, for instance, is kind of like Airbnb for dogs, connecting dog owners to 10,000 screened and trained dog sitters around the country. Hosts set their prices, usually about half as much as a kennel. The idea is that dogs staying in a sitter’s home will get better care, one-on-one attention, and a chance to take walks or frolic in the park. And dog sitters usually send vacationing pet owners photos or videos as proof that their furry companion is having gun.

As for concerns about the safety of dogs, CEO Aaron Hirschhorn says the company addresses that in several ways: “We provide all the quality control; we have a five-step vetting process, comprehensive insurance, and 24-hour customer support.”

“You can even do a no-obligation meet-and-greet,” he adds, “so you can visit the host family and see how they interact with your dogs.”

Vet before you commit

Taking your dog or cat to stay in the home of someone who is essentially a complete stranger (despite their detailed online profile) is a relatively new concept compared to having someone move into your home, or having someone check in daily on your pets in their home environment.

And while it's easy to research and book a sitter online, the onus is still on pet parents to personally vet the sitter. The person you are considering should be both willing and able to answer all your questions before you commit to anything.

Set up a meet-and-greet so that you’re absolutely sure you have found the right person for your pet's needs and personality. And if the sitter doesn't answer questions to your satisfaction, or are "too busy" for a meeting, consider it a red flag and find someone else.

Go to the pros

If you’re uncomfortable finding a pet sitter through an online service, talk to your vet's office. They often have staff members who are licensed and bonded pet sitters.

Finding a sitter this way has huge advantages. First, they have access to your pet's medical history. Also, if you have pets that require daily medication or the administration of subcutaneous fluids, these sitters are trained to provide such services.

If you’re "old-fashioned" and like real personal recommendations (as opposed to online reviews), the veterinarian’s office probably also has sitters on file they are comfortable recommending.

Don’t wing it

It's never a good idea to casually ask a neighbor to pop in to keep an eye on your furry companions. There has to be a firm commitment.

Also, think twice about having your neighbor’s teenager do the job. While many teenagers are very responsible, some don't take the commitment of looking after a pet seriously enough.

Finally, it's never advisable to leave pets alone with lots of food and water - even overnight- because things do happen in the home. A sudden invasion of ants taking over the food bowl will leave your pal without food, or raucous play could result in the water bowl tipping over and your pets going thirsty.

Considerations for at-home sitters

If you choose to have a pet sitter stay at your home or check in on pets there, it’s important to provide plenty of information about both your home and the pets you are planning to leave in their care.

Here are some topics to cover:

• Other services, such as bringing in the mail and putting out the garbage, the sitter is prepared to do.
• If it's a live-in arrangement, specify the time(s) you want them to be with your pet.
• If it's not a live-in arrangement, make sure the pet sitter knows where to switch on the lights when they’re checking in on your pet in the evenings.
• Find out if the pet sitter is associated with a particular veterinary office or is willing to take your pet to your veterinarian.
• Make sure you point out salient features of your home, such as an alarm system and where you keep the remote control for the garage door.
• Before you leave, make sure you've written out all instructions regarding your pet's food, medication and general routine. Remember to provide your contact information and give the pet sitter at least one neighbor's name and phone number.
• Make sure they have access to a spare key in case they get locked out.
• These days it’s common for pet sitters to text you and send photographs. Ask if they are prepared to do this.
• If you have a pet video cam set up, be sure to inform your sitter. It's a common courtesy.
• Also make sure that your pet is micro-chipped and wearing a sturdy collar with proper identification. After all, if something goes awry and your pet goes missing, proper ID will be your pal's ticket home.

Related:

• How to Recognize and Reduce Pet Stress
• Party Animals: Entertaining in a Home with Pets
• How to Travel with Pets

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-pet-sitter-198233/
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Rebel Wilson Buys Second L.A. Home

To celebrate wrapping up a villainous turn as Ursula the sea witch in a live run of “The Little Mermaid” at the Hollywood Bowl, Rebel Wilson snagged a new home nearby for $2.95 million. That’s almost a quarter million less than the most recent asking price on this 4,400-square-foot home, which was built last year.

Now Wilson has two homes near the Hollywood Bowl. The comedian and actress, known for roles in “Bridesmaids” and “Pitch Perfect,” dropped $2.2 million two years ago on a smaller home in the Hollywood Hills. The Daily Telegraph, which broke the news with a photo of Wilson visiting the home in a koala-print T-shirt and pink satin shoes, reports she also recently bought a home near Sydney.

Wilson’s latest Hollywood Hills real estate conquest opens with a two-story foyer and features formal living and dining rooms, plus an informal family room that shares an open floor plan with a gourmet kitchen and breakfast area.

High ceilings, wide plank floors, and abundant windows and French doors make the spacious home even more luxurious. It boasts 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, including a master bath with a dressing table, large stand-up or sit-down shower, and a soaking tub topped by a chandelier.

The listing agent was Isabel DeMayo of RE/MAX Mega Group.

Related:

• ‘Glee’ Star Bids Farewell to LA Estate
• Amy Schumer Asks $2M for Manhattan Apartment
• Gilmore Girl and Mad Man Sell Their Brooklyn Penthouse

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/rebel-wilson-buys-second-la-home-199119/
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Sanctuary: A Gamer's Vintage Arcade

Spencer Rascoff Named One of the Top 25 Highest Rated CEOs on Glassdoor

At Zillow Group, we pride ourselves on our company culture, which fosters a spirit of collaboration and innovation. We regard our employees as our strongest asset and are honored by their commitment to making Zillow Group one of the best places to work in the country.

Today, thanks to our employees’ feedback we're proud to have our CEO Spencer Rascoff named as one of Glassdoor's Highest Rated CEOs for large U.S. companies. This award is based on Glassdoor's company review survey, which gathers employee sentiment on job and company satisfaction, work environment and company culture.

"Spencer … personally takes feedback from employees on how the work environment can be improved and he acts on it." - Employee review

Based on these reviews, Spencer received an employee approval rating of 94 percent.

Spencer plays a central role in developing and expanding Zillow Group's company culture. From wearing hammer pants on TV to roughing it at Tough Mudder, he celebrates our company's accomplishments while reminding everyone that Zillow Group is a team sport. His commitment to recruiting top-notch talent and pushing Zillow Group to constantly innovate is a key factor in our company's success.

Here are a few things employees had to say:

"There is never a moment where you don’t feel valued because the CEO makes a point to hear out what the employees need (and want) to keep up this great work environment." - Consumer Care Advocate, Seattle

“Throughout the C-suite, VPs and directors there is an appreciation for ‘collaboration’ that goes well-beyond the lip service other companies pay to the concept. The CEO, CFO, CMO, COO, etc. do not have their own offices. They are readily available and view their respective roles as one part of an enterprise that is driven by the creativity of those they work with." - Seattle employee

"Crazy good benefits and a CEO who listens to everyone from the ground up. He actually gives his cell phone out for people to text him with anything." - Inside Sales, Irvine

“My boss is awesome, my boss’s boss is awesome, … the CEO is awesome." - Data scientist, Seattle

"From free food and beverages on a daily basis to incomparable perks and bonuses, Zillow Group truly has an amazing culture. The leadership, starting with Spencer Rascoff on down, the management and the employees make it a truly great place to work!" - Business Consultant, Denver

We are always looking for passionate and bright people with big ideas, so check out our jobs page to learn more about joining the team!

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/spencer-rascoff-top-ceo-glassdoor-199088/
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Down Payment Savings Tips for Renters

Ah, the perks of being a renter. No mortgage payments, no property taxes, no pesky maintenance work or repairs (leave that to your landlord to take care of!). Sounds like a good life, right?

Oh, wait, we almost forgot the big drawback: You're not actually gaining equity in a home.

So what's stopping you from buying a home? If you're like most renters, it's the lack of cash for a down payment.

Indeed, one in five Americans doesn't even have a savings account - and one-third of those who do have a zero balance on their account, according to a recent survey by personal finance website GOBankingRates.com. Yikes!

The good news is, there are some simple ways to start saving money for a home purchase. Make these moves to build your down payment fund.

Set a target goal

Figuring out exactly how much house you can afford is key, because it allows you to determine how much you’ll need for a down payment.

Then put together a detailed savings plan, advises Andrea Blackwelder, Denver financial planner and founder of Wisdom Wealth Strategies.

Research shows people who set specific savings goals do a better job at putting money away than those who don't.

"Just saving for a down payment isn't enough," Blackwelder says. "You need a hard dollar amount that you can work toward."

Assess your spending habits

Look at your bank and credit card statements from the last three months to see where your money is going, then identify areas where you can cut back, says Brandy Wright, a certified financial planner at Cambridge Wealth Counsel in Atlanta.

Shrink your TV package

The average cable TV bill hit a record $99.10 last year, up 39 percent from 2010. Unless you've already cut the cord, downsizing your cable plan - and streaming shows instead - can help you save money.

Not willing to give up channels? Call you cable provider anyway, and try to negotiate a lower rate. If there's another cable provider in your area, you've got leverage.

Drop the gym membership

It's summer - get your exercise outdoors. "Jogging, hiking, and climbing outside is free," Blackwelder points out.

Already locked into an annual gym membership? Your club might be willing to drop your rate if you get a friend to join.

Downsize to a smaller, cheaper apartment

Depending on where you live, going from a one-bedroom apartment to a studio can help you save thousands of dollars each year in rent.

"You need to live modestly if you're serious about saving for a down payment," says Wright.

Reducing your living space can also lower your heating and air-conditioning bills.

Get a side gig

It's age-old advice, but it's now easier than ever to pick up a side job, thanks to work opportunities such as Uber, Lyft, and Postmates, a food delivery service.

"Nowadays all you need to make some extra money is a car," says Blackwelder.

You can also pick up freelance work through services like TaskRabbit.com and AgentAnything.com.

Open a high-yield savings account

Instead of keeping your cash in a checking account where it's not earning interest, move the money to a high-yield savings account.

"You get complete access to the money and daily accrual of interest," says Blackwelder.

Get a cash rewards credit card

Set aside your no-frills credit card and get a card with great cash-back rewards. Beverly Harzog, an independent credit card expert and consumer advocate, recommends the Blue Cash Preferred American Express Card, the Chase Freedom Credit Card, or the Citi Double Cash Card.

Caveat: Rewards credit cards typically have higher interest rates, so make sure you pay off your balance in full - and on time - each month.

Save your tax refund

While it's tempting to spend what Uncle Sam gives you back each year, exert some willpower and put the money toward your down payment instead.

Unload your "stuff" locally…

Summer is peak season for throwing a good old-fashioned yard sale. Get the word out by promoting it on Craigslist, and posting signs in the neighborhood several days in advance.

Just be sure to consider the weather report before deciding what day you're going to hold it. (Clear skies and comfortable temperatures lead to better turnout.)

… And online

Think there's a niche market for some of your items? You're probably better off selling them on eBay. Large pieces of furniture, meanwhile, tend to sell well on Craigslist.

Related:

• Sourcing Down Payment Funding: Gift Funds and More
• Low Down Payment Home Loans: Which is Best for You?
• Benefits of Using Down Payment Assistance Program

 

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/payment-savings-tips-renters-199041/
via Reveeo