One of my favorite times of year! Fall is the perfect time to soak up the beauty of our region by taking in the changing season. Enjoy West Virginia’s fall colors in all their splendor with our guide. Is there a road trip in your future?

West Virginia’s Fall Colors: Peak Weeks

One of the things we love best about our state is the natural beauty that surrounds us season after season. My personal favorite is the fall, when the leaves turn the most amazing colors. We always make it a point to take a road trip and see what nature offers us. The peak times are different for different parts of the state, based largely on elevation – the Appalachian upper elevations see the changes first.

For those of us in the Eastern Panhandle, late October is when we will see the fall colors at their peak. Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan and Hampshire counties enjoy a later change, so there’s still plenty of time to take a road trip and enjoy the gorgeous views.

What to Look For:

Trees that are native to West Virginia include several varieties of birch, oak and hickory, as well as American Chestnut, Black Walnut and American Beech. To get a full listing of the trees of West Virginia, the West Virginia Division of Forestry has an identification guide of trees commonly found in our region in a downloadable .pdf guide. It is complete with pictures and detailed descriptions.

Make a Full Day of It!

Make it an adventure! Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and stop along the way for some West Virginia sites. Cacapon Resort State Park is a great stop with plenty of hiking trails and photo opportunities. Cacapon offers hiking guides to take you where you want to go without the worry getting lost. There are hiking trails for all skill levels. Or, stop by a pumpkin patch for additional fall fun. Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze in Inwood is open, and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous they offer a Night Maze, a family-friendly evening event that include a hay ride. Don’t forget your flashlight!

If you are interested in a more adult adventure, try a few of West Virginia’s wineries. The grape’s leaves turn amazing colors this time of year! Within a two hour drive are several great vineyards with tasting rooms, including Potomac Hill Winery in  Keyser, West Whitehill Winery in Moorefield, and for something a little closer to home, hop over to Shepherdstown and stop by Grapes and Grains Gourmet after your leaf hunting adventures.

We’re inching closer to Halloween and the holiday season. Don’t miss the chance to see the beauty of West Virginia’s fall colors and have a few fun adventures before it gets cold!

Whether you’re preparing your home to sell, or have just bought your personal “diamond in the rough” home to beautify, there are some easy improvements you can do right away that will give you the most bang for your home improvement buck. Take a look at our quick budget-friendly home upgrades.

Dig in and Clean:

When you move into a new home, you may find a few unwelcome surprises waiting for you. Grab a flashlight and comb through all the corners and places that may not get much light. Cobwebs, mold, and funky odors may be lurking.

• For mold growth on hard surfaces, use 1 C. bleach per 1 Gal water. Using bleach is inexpensive and extremely effective.
• Got popcorn ceilings? Then you’ve got cobwebs. Those things are everywhere on those types of ceilings. Grab the brush attachment to your vacuum and have at it. The flashlight will help you find them, not only on your ceilings but in those dark corners and hard to reach areas.
• For odors, activated charcoal is your friend. Activated charcoal (available online and at stores such as Walmart and Home Depot) will absorb the odors, not simply mask them. You can take a glass jar, fill with the activated charcoal, poke a few holes in the lid, and you have a very effective odor fighter for a few dollars or less.
• While you’re absorbing the odors, you can put a pot on your stove, add mulling spices such as cinnamon, nutmegs, dried orange and lemon peel, cloves, and allspice. Vanilla is nice for that too.

A Fresh Coat of Paint:

In the case of foreclosure properties, Prime Location does a thorough cleaning, top to bottom, and use a priming product called Kilz, available at Home Depot. It’s a combination primer, sealer, and stain blocker. We can’t recommend this product enough. But, before you prime, prep!

• Clean your walls first! TSP, or Trisodium Phosphate, is an inexpensive cleaner that works wonders to degrease and get walls ready to take paint. When you use TSP prior to painting you don’t have to sand the surface. TSP is a fantastic mildew killer, too. Just keep it away from bathroom and kitchen fixtures – it can stain them and shorten their lives.
• Prime with Kilz.
• Pick your paint! We have an accent wall in our bedroom. It adds a pop of color in a room with basic walls.
• Other places to paint and freshen up your new house: trim, kitchen cabinets, refinish and stain your front door, or paint it an eye-catching color like red!

Where to Shop for Quick Budget-friendly Home Upgrades

You have your usual suspects, like Home Depot and Lowes, but don’t forget some our smaller, local shops. Another place to keep in mind is Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Winchester. There you can shop for all manner of home improvement items, ranging from nails, cabinet pulls and door locks to gently used appliances and furniture. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your house look like a million bucks!

Want More Home Maintenance Tips?

We want you to be the most successful homeowner possible, which is why we provide tips and information on how to make the most of your home. In addition to these quick budget-friendly home upgrades, check out our tips on curb appeal,  plumbing maintenance, and ways to save money on your utility bills!

We love fall! The changing season gives us a chance to take advantage of the apple harvests, pumpkin picking, area fall festivals and fun! Here’s a run down of a few of our favorites. (Hint: there may be apples involved, but lots more, too!)

Area Fall Festivals:

Martinsburg

13th Annual Chili Cook-off – October 7th from 2pm to -5pm, come taste the best chili in town ($5.00 to taste) as well as music, beer, and fun.

Martinsburg hosts a biggie: The Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival October 19th – 22nd. This year marks a change of location, with the festival now being held at the Berkeley County Fair Grounds. The weekend is chock-full of events, including apple pie judging, an apple arranging contest, the 5k Apple Trample, the Apple Queen’s coronation, and the Apple Harvest Square Dance. This event is a don’t miss! Get the schedule of events here.

Berkeley Springs

Apple Butter Festival – October 7th and 8th. This fun festival kicks off with a traditional hometown parade on Saturday morning, and continues with games, music, food, and crafts. Admission is FREE, and you can see how traditional apple butter is made with the large copper kettles in the town square. It smells amazing and tastes even better.

Winchester Area

Apple Festival – Richard’s Fruit Market, Middletown, VA – October 21st, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. A quick trip to Middletown and you can celebrate the apple harvest on this gorgeous orchard! Many varieties of apples to choose from, as well as food and fun. Spend a day in the country!

Pumpkin Festival – Marker-Miller Orchards, Winchester, VA – October 28th, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – Not to be outshined by the apples, let’s give the pumpkins their due, just in time for Halloween. Stop by the Marker-Miller bakery for a treat, too. I bet they’ll have pumpkin donuts by then. Yum!

Harpers Ferry

Bike Your Park – Looking for something fun to do this coming weekend? The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is hosting the Bike Your Park Day on September 30th beginning at 1:00 pm. Enjoy three bike rides around the park and take in the scenery.

Shepherdstown

American Conservation Film Festival – For something a little different, head to Shepherdstown for the American Conversation Film Festival, October 13-15th. Times vary, but you can download a schedule here. There are various film screenings and receptions throughout the weekend. There is a cost to this event, with a full festival pass ranging from $49.50 to $55.00 per ticket. (Festival pass does not include the kick-off reception or filmmaker workshop)

Lots to do!

Fall in West Virginia is amazing. Between the area fall festivals, events, and fall colors, you’ll find something great to do, in between prepping your house for the coming winter months and relaxing.

Big weather events have dominated our news lately, be it powerful hurricanes off the southern East Coast, or millions of acres of forest fires in the west. Not all disasters are as extreme as these, but being prepared can save yours and your family’s lives, your pets, and your home.  Being ready for whatever gets tossed your way is important. So, let’s talk a bit about how you can use the rest of the month and participate in National Preparedness Month!

Be Ready: Your Disaster Toolkit

One of the advantages to making your toolkit ahead of time, when the stress is low, is that it’s much easier to think clearly and acquire what you need. Your kit should be stored in a safe, dry area that you can easily access. Essential items to include:

• Water – The general guideline is one gallon of water per person, per day, and have a minimum of a three-day supply. This covers drinking water as well as water for cooking and hygiene purposes. FEMA recommends commercially bottled water, but you can store your own. Just make certain you store the water in something other than fruit juice or milk containers – they can’t be disinfected sufficiently to prevent bacteria growth.
• Food – Again, a minimum three-day supply of food is recommended. If you are home bound and without electricity, you can obviously use the food you have on hand. Start with your refrigerator items, then freezer, then pantry items. Eat what spoils the fastest first.
• Battery-powered Radio or TV – If cellular data is compromised, this will help keep you informed. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand as well.
• Flashlight/Lantern/Candles – Headlamps are handy for light sources as well, and it leaves your hands free.  For candles, have matches handy and store them in a dry, waterproof container. Don’t forget the extra batteries!

• Copies of your identification – Photocopies of your ID and credit cards.
• Extra Clothes and Blankets
• First Aid Kit
• Special needs items – Extra medication, contact lenses/glasses, infant formula/diapers/wipes, hearing aid batteries, and other items you may need for mobility.
• Your family’s emergency plan – In my family, we have an agreement on where we would meet if we were separated and/or had to leave the house quickly. Agree ahead of time what you will do to find each other in the event you have to evacuate.

Be Ready: Technology

There’s some great technology out there for emergency disaster help. In the recent Houston flooding, area residents used an app called Zello, which works like a walkie talkie on your phone.  The ability to communicate through the app is credited with saving many residents. Other apps include:

• The Red Cross – They offer a suite of apps for various situations, including a hurricane app, Find a Shelter app, and even a Pet First Aid app. Each one includes emergency notifications.
• FEMA – The FEMA app gives you preparedness information and checklists for different types of disasters. FEMA did a great job on this one – very thorough.
• GasBuddy – Our neighbors in Florida found this quite handy recently. The app tells you which stations are out of gas, which ones have power, etc.
• The website Ready.gov has a list of potential disasters and what to do for each of them, including home fires, drought, earthquakes, severe weather and more. Be ready! 

National Preparedness Month Means Be a Good Neighbor, too!

Check on your neighbors regularly, but especially in the event of a disaster. The elderly, the very young, and people with illnesses can be especially vulnerable during emergency situations. Don’t forget about them!

There’s a whole bunch to think about when you own your own home, and sometimes the things that seem to always be there and always work will give you and your wallet a huge headache when they stop working. One of the most expensive home repairs you may come across is your plumbing. However, taking the time to maintain your plumbing can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. The idea is to prevent disasters with regular, easy-to-do upkeep. Here are some simple, DIY plumbing maintenance tips to help you keep your plumbing in tip-top shape.

DIY Plumbing Maintenance Tips

• Look for leaks – We’ve mentioned this before, but water leaks are the vampire of your plumbing and water bills. One way to find leaks is to check the line running to your house from the meter.
  • If you know how to find your shut-off valve, start there – shut off the water temporarily and then take a look at the meter. (You may have to clear the space around the meter to see it properly. If the water is shut off and the meter is still turning – then you have a problem between the meter and the house. Inspect your yard for signs of a leak: soft, muddy spots, a really green patch of grass (greener than the surrounding grass), pooled water. This is one issue where you will likely need a plumber to come and do an inspection for you.
  • If you don’t find any issues, the next thing to check are your toilets. Take the lid off the tank – if you hear a hissing sound, your tank may be leaking water. We call that the Phantom Flush, or Ghost Flushing. This is a common culprit, and can leak up to 200 gallons a YEAR. Don’t pay for water you’re not using! Learn how to fix it here.
  • Other areas to check for leaks: Shower heads, faucets, outside taps, the pressure relief valve on your hot water heater, and easy-to-access pipes.
  • If all else fails and you can’t find it, call in a plumber.

• Inspect your Water Heater – Water heaters typically last 8-13 years. An annual inspection is an important, but often overlooked, home maintenance job. If your water heater is over 10 years old, this an an especially important task. Check out this video on what to look for when inspecting your water heater. Also, clear the area around your water heater to help prevent fires, and set the temperature between 120 and 130 for maximum efficiency.
• Insulate your Exterior Pipes – These include pipes that are on the outside of your house, and pipes that are along an exterior wall. Cheap and easy, pipe wrap can save you from burst pipes and water damage when the temperatures dip below freezing. It’s available at Home Depot for less than $10.00 per six feet.
• Inspect Your Septic – If you haven’t done it for awhile, or aren’t sure when it was last done, now’s a great time. If you find any issues, having a professional in to check it and recommend repairs is really important. Learn more about your septic system here.
• Close your Home’s Foundation Vents – Another often-overlooked task, closing the foundation vents helps prevent frozen pipes.
• Install faucet and shower head aerators – Faucet aerators are handy little tools that decrease the flow of water from your faucets without compromising the water pressure. Faucet aerators are available online or at Home Depot.

We hope these DIY plumbing maintenance tips are helpful. We want you to be a successful homeowner! The Home Depot in Ranson offers classes and workshops on how to do home maintenance and improvements, and it’s a great resource for teaching you to be your own home maintenance pro.

The summer has come and gone. But, it’s not too late for one last long weekend hurrah! I’ve done a quick round up of Panhandle Labor Day weekend events – some for families, some for adults, but all fun. Don’t miss summer’s last great adventures!

A Brief History of Labor Day

Before you go celebrating your much-earned day off, do you know the history of Labor Day? Started by America’s labor movement in the 1880’s, the first official Labor Day was celebrated with a parade in New York City on September 5th, 1882. Momentum grew from there, and on June 28th, 1894, an act passed by Congress declared the first Monday in September as the official day of observance. The day is celebrated with parades, gatherings, prominent speakers, and a day off for the hard working Americans who keep our country’s economy humming.

Panhandle Labor Day Weekend Events

Harper’s Ferry:

First Annual Bolivar/Harpers Ferry Oyster Shuck and Labor Day Celebration – Spend your Saturday from Noon to 6 pm enjoying live music, cold beer and fresh oysters. Hosted by the Harpers Ferry Event Barn & Bar.

Charles Town:

Charles Town Car Show – Also on Saturday, head to Charles Town for the biggest car show in the region! Main Street is shut down for the event, which features more than 400 cars and extends for six city blocks. The car show runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and also features an exciting craft market. Find out more on the City of Charles Town website.

Not ready to call it a day? Take in The Oak Ridge Boys concert at the Hollywood Casino Event Center. Classic county music from some of the best in the business. The concert is on September 2nd at 8:00 pm. Tickets still available!

Martinsburg:

Labor Day Breakfast – Join the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Rec for their annual Labor Day Breakfast on September 4th, from 7:30 to 10:30 am. Head on over to the Main Pavilion in War Memorial Park and enjoy grilled steak, country ham, and other deliciousness with your friends and neighbors. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Parks & Rec Administrative offices, several area businesses, or at the event itself. Mmm. Breakfast.

Shepherdstown:

Shepherd University v Notre Dame – FOOTBALL. Saturday, September 2nd, Fairfax Field. Kickoff at 12:00 pm. What’s fall without football? Check out our own Shepherd Rams when they go head to head with Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish for their home opener. Head over to the University’s website for info.

Winchester:

If shopping for treasures is more your speed, head over to Winchester and celebrate the grand opening of Blue Peacock Antiques’s new location all weekend long. Lots of new antique and vintage items to see and/or purchase, plus fresh-baked treats, classic music, and more!

A Special Tribute to Rosie the Riveter

This is a really special event, and ties right in with what Labor Day is all about: celebrating the hard work of Americans throughout our history. “Ring a Bell for Rosies” will be taking place throughout the state, with participants ringing bells at 1:00 pm on September 4th. Locally, the event will take place at Harper’s Ferry National Park, or Martinsburg. For a little history about these special women, check out this story from WVAlways. To find out how to participate, go to Thanks Plain and Simple’s website for details.

Panhandle Labor Day Weekend Events, Home-Style

If you’re anything like us, long weekends also provide a great opportunity to take care of some home projects, or just go someplace familiar with friends and family to relax and enjoy your time off. Regardless of what you decide to do, we at Prime Location Realty hope you have a chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Have a wonderful weekend!

Welcome to Part Two of our series on prepping your home for fall! This week we’re going to switch our focus to the exterior of your home, which needs a little TLC, too. If you missed Part One of our series, where we focus on prepping the interior of your home for fall, don’t worry! Catch up right here: Fall Home Maintenance Projects. This week, let’s tackle all your exterior fall home maintenance projects.

Exterior Fall Home Maintenance Projects: The Outside.

Now is a great time to take advantage of the nice weather while it’s still here and prep the outside of your home for the coming colder months. Here’s a breakdown of the basics:

• Clean and store your outdoor furniture –  Harsh temperatures can really take a toll on your outdoor furniture. Save your investment! Scrub with a brush and a cleaning solution, such as Goo Gone Patio Furniture Cleaner, available at Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon.  Wipe around the furniture with the Goo Gone and a rag, paying special attention to the feet and legs. I’ve found spider nests tucked away on mine in those spots. You’ll want to get rid of those before you bring them into storage. Bring your pieces made of fabric out of the elements after cleaning them, too.
• Paint touch ups – Look around and check areas that may need a little paint. Direct sun, heat, and age can dull or chip your paint. Prep with a wire brush to remove flaking paint, then prime if necessary. Touch-up window sills, shutters, railings, etc.
• Clean your gutters – Debris can find it’s way into your gutters and downspout in the summer, so grab a ladder, some gloves, and scoop out anything that’s collected since you last cleaned. Installing a gutter filter can be a smart investment: keep the debris out of your gutter and save you the job of climbing up on a ladder and cleaning it out. (Climbing on ladders is not my favorite thing.)
• Wash outside windows – Invest in a window washing kit (about $22.00 at Home Depot) or hire a local professional. Help the local economy and support hometown business owners. We like Lusk Window Cleaning.
• Check for drafts – Consider installing weather stripping  on drafty suspects like garage doors, windows, and glass doors.
• Take care of your hoses – Drain your hoses and store them. When your hoses freeze it shortens their life. You spent money on it, make it last!

Ready to Cozy Up for Fall?

With cooler weather just around the corner, having your home all set and ready means you can relax come the first snowfall, and enjoy the turning of the seasons!

It’s hard to believe fall is right around the corner! Where did summer go? Once school starts it’s a great time to get your home de-summerized, (is that a word? Well, it is now!) ready for chillier nights and the turning of the seasons with some fall home maintenance projects.

If your house is anything like mine, we tend to spend more time outside and inside, so your home’s interior may need a little TLC and re-organizing. We’ll start there, then watch for Part 2 next week, when we tackle the exterior.

Fall Home Maintenance Projects: The Basics

Keeping your home running in tip-top shape requires a few regular maintenance tasks to keep the things you count on running well.

• Test your smoke detector batteries – the recommendation from home safety experts is to change them twice a year. However, this if your detector has lithium ion batteries, that may not be necessary. So, test them in every room, and replace if you need to.  Amazon sells a battery tester for less than $7.00. Better safe than sorry!
• Change your furnace filter – when was the last time you did changed it? When you get the right kind of filter for your furnace, it increases it’s efficiency and saves you money on your heating and cooling bills. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to find out what kind you need: Determining Furnace Filter Sizes.
• Drain hot water heaters – One of the things that can shorten the life of your hot water heater is the sediment that settles into the bottom. Draining it can extend the life of your water heater and save you money.  Check out this video tutorial: How to Drain Your Hot Water Heater.
• Schedule a carpet cleaning – If you have wiggle room in your budget to hire a professional carpet cleaner, it’s a great way to really get your carpets spotless. If your budget is a little tighter, like ours, it’s easy to rent a carpet cleaner from Home Depot. It’s more labor-intensive for you, but the rentals do a great job of getting your carpets freshened up for less.
• Wash Your Windows – While the outside of your windows need cleaning, so do the inside. If you notice a cloudiness to your inside windows, try a microfiber cloth – they tend to be lint-free, so you don’t end up with lint fibers all over your windows. If your windows are particularly dirty, a hack that I’ve used to get them sparkling is to use a little dishwasher rinse aid mixed with water after the initial cleaning. Hey – works on your dishes, right? And while you’re cleaning your windows, take the opportunity to clean your window treatments as well.

Need professional help for your interior home projects? We have resources for you right here.

And that’s just the INSIDE

Stick around for our fall home maintenance projects that will help you tackle the OUTSIDE of your house and get it ready for the coming fall and winter months. Here’s a hint: got a ladder?