Haring Realty Blog

Thanksgiving is practically synonymous with pie. Pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie, it may be traditional to have a slice after Thanksgiving dinner. But pie isn't the only way to end your meal. Sometimes change is good and our REALTORS® encourage you to think outside the pie pan and try something new. We've rounded up six Thanksgiving desserts that are well worth saving some extra room for.

• Pumpkin Layer Cake
  A fluffy Pumpkin Layer Cake would make a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread. The pumpkin flavor comes from pureed pumpkin and a blend of beautiful spices: ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Adding lots of eggs to the batter gives it the custardy flavor and texture of pumpkin pie. It's classic to pair this layer cake with tangy cream cheese buttercream frosting. Making this soft, moist, and delicious pumpkin layer cake is relatively straightforward and takes about 1 hour to bake and frost.

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As you've spent most of the summer at home, have you been looking for extra projects to keep the family busy? Maybe you've listed your house among Mansfield homes for sale and have been getting your home shipshape for potential buyers, but you've still got time on your hands. Has the urge to feed your backyard birds flitted across your mind? Helping them out — especially as the weather gets colder — is a fine thing to do.

But it's not enough to toss out pieces of dried bread. Bread has no nutritional value for birds and can be harmful by filling them up so they don't eat the foods they need. If you're going to feed the birds, invest in good quality seed.

Here are some additional tips for helping your local feathered friends get the nutritional boost they need.

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Spending more time at home gives everyone a bit of a home improvement bug, and that's never a bad thing. But if you've been watching home makeover shows, your vision of the process may not match reality. Many small and mostly cosmetic projects are DIY-friendly. But there are times when you'll need to call in the professionals for safety and legal reasons. Our REALTORS® want your remodeling project to go off without a hitch, so we'll help you sort out which projects you can tackle on your own and which need to be done by the pros. 

• Make A Splash 
  Plumbing-related repairs and updates should be approached with caution, but several are DIY-friendly. It may be the first time you locate the shut-off valves in your home, and this can be crucial information in case of a leak or break in your pipes. Changing plumbing fixtures, including installing a toilet, can be done by a careful homeowner and can take years off the look of a room. 
  
  If you're looking to add a freestanding bidet or an outdoor sink, however, you should leave that to a professional plumber. Re-routing existing pipes or installing new ones can get tricky fast. Any project involving shutting off water to the entire house should also be left to a plumber, as the necessary equipment may require a plumber's license.

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Our REALTORS® often hear buyers say one of the best things about getting your own home is customizing and decorating it any way you like. That includes decorating for your favorite holiday. A jack-o'-lantern on the porch or as a part of other Halloween decorations in your yard is a fun way to express your creativity. It's also the perfect fall decoration for Mansfield homes for sale. They're festive without going overboard, and once they're cut, they don't last long. Whether you're looking to make a classic simple design, or go next level and carve the best one on the block, these five tips can help.

1. Pick a quality pumpkin. Start with a pumpkin that is in good shape and not split, withering, or starting to go bad. Your pumpkin should be firm, free of soft spots, and relatively smooth and blemish-free on at least one side, so it has a good "face" and is easier to carve. The stem should also be intact. Since most people pick out their pumpkins in advance, you want the freshest possible.

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Have you been thinking of downsizing? You are not alone. Statistics show that almost half of baby boomers are considering downsizing. Many people who downsizing have been thinking about moving out of their large home to a smaller home, condo or apartment for some time. Common factors in making this decision may be a recent retirement, children moving out of the home, financial issues, divorce or inability to continue to care for a larger home and/or yard. I am one of those people. Having had this experience myself, I wanted to write this blog which, I hope, will help you as you downsize.

1. Emotional
   Downsizing brings up a lot of emotions. You will be looking at physical items which will bring up g...

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