Nelly Soto Abodes Realtor

Buyers love the security of a home warranty. But are they really worthwhile or just a sales gimmick?

You Have a Warranty, But Are You Covered? As a new homeowner, you may have received a home warranty from the builder or previous owners. It’s a nice perk, yes. But don’t get the false impression your warranty will cover everything that goes wrong in your new home. You might be surprised at what is covered — and what may not be covered...

With the swipe of a cell phone, take command of your home. Here are six systems that will make your house the smartest on the block.

Control Your Home with a Smartphone Thanks to smartphone technology, homeowners can take control of the major systems in their houses with the tap of a finger. We’re talking lights, thermostat, door locks, sprinklers — even the TV. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s available. Home security. Smart systems are extremely customiza...

Looking for the perfect spot for family mealtimes? Take your pick of tables, banquettes and islands.

Serving Up Seating Arrangements for the Eat-in Kitchen An eat-in kitchen is a favorite feature of busy families with children, a spot where the kids can eat without too much worry about the mess and the cook isn’t separated from the rest of the crew. Need a few ideas about eat-in kitchen seating? Let your family’s lifestyle and the size and shape of...

There’s no rush when buying a home near water. Family safety, potential flooding and maintenance are key issues to explore.

A Pond on the Property? Be Prepared With Questions If you’re in the market for a house with a pond, you’ve got a lot of homework to do before making an offer to purchase. Government regulations, potential flooding, safety issues and added costs are among the concerns that need to be addressed by a prospective buyer. Safety first. Living near a p...

Nail pops are an eyesore and nuisance. Fortunately, they are one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll ever attempt.Take a look.

Ten Steps to Fixing Pesky Nail Pops We’ve all seen them: nail or screw heads popping out of sheetrock after a house settles. They are a blemish on an otherwise smooth surface, so your eye is drawn to them. Can you fix them yourself? You sure can. Here’s how. Supplies. You’ll need a box cutter, a nail set and hammer, a screwdrive...

Don’t invite criminals into your home with an unsecured wifi network. Here’s what every homeowner needs to know to stay cyber safe.

Five Steps to Secure Your Home Wifi Network Protecting your home wifi network is a must for every homeowner. Guard your personal and financial information with these five easy steps.

Wishing you a safe and healthy Easter this year.
Read on for some interesting facts about this holiday in the U.S.

Wishing you a safe and healthy Easter this year. The first Easter Egg Roll was held on the White House grounds in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. Festively colored Easter eggs were originally meant to symbolize the birth of new life. Easter bunnies in the U.S. were introduced by German immigrants settling in Pennsylvania during the 18th Cen...

When shopping for home entertainment, check for the latest in digital technology. Tune in here for a brief tutorial.

Advances in Headphone and Earbud Technology Digital technology is revolutionizing home entertainment, including headphones and earbuds. Listen up, audiophiles. Bluetooth technology has matured, making wires and plugs obsolete. Listeners can roam the house with the audio source several feet away. A processing method called apx HD is the techno...

North, south, east or west? Which way should your house face? Here are four key factors to properly place your home.

Which Direction Should Your New Home Face? When building a new home, don’t forget to put serious thought into how the house will be positioned on the lot or acreage. It might seem like a technical detail but the position of the house can have a big affect on day-to-day living. Let’s look at the crucial elements that go into the decision....

Dark and ornate have given way to bright and simple. Here are six of the latest trends in home design.

Lighter, Brighter and Simpler are Today’s Buzzwords in Home Design With homes trending smaller, today’s houses are being built with cleaner lines and styles to emphasize the open concept. Detailed trim work and dark stains are out; light colors and simpler styles are in. Let’s look at six of the latest trends. Cabinets. Painted cabinets in bright colors with st...

Turn your yard into a haven for butterflies and summertime will never be the same.

5 Tips for Creating a Butterfly Garden in Your Backyard There’s something magical about the beauty and delicacy of butterflies. Wouldn’t it be fun to have them as frequent visitors around your home? Here’s how to invite them into your yard. Learn your butterflies. Research local websites for butterfly field guides highlighting types native to your ...

Is a slipcover a design slip-up or a style save? Find out more in this comprehensive guide.

Slipcovers 101: The Great Coverup Whether you crave washability, desire a new look for every season, or just want to make the best of a flea market find — slipcovers have got you covered. With a little research and effort, you’ll find a slipcover to fit your furniture piece, along with your style and budget. When to use a slipco...

Are you considering a bathroom with a luxury shower and no bathtub? Will you regret it?

Super Showers: Are They Worth Giving Up Your Bathtub? Whether you’re shopping for a new home or updating your existing property, an upgraded shower is a great way to give your bathroom a boost. These days, sought-after showers are more high-tech and bigger than ever. In fact, some homeowners forgo tubs completely in favor of these expanded, spa-like ...

Can parents gift a house to their children? Will taxes be owed, and if so, by whom? Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Passing on a House to Family Members It’s not uncommon for an elderly homeowner to pass along a house to heirs. Let’s examine ways to do so, understanding that laws in each state vary and federal tax code changes. Consult an attorney before making any decisions. The most basic way. The easiest way to pass a house to children is thr...

Expand your garden this spring the traditional way with these tips for using seeds, bulbs and cuttings.

Three Ways to Enjoy Gardening the Old-Fashioned Way Buying and installing full-grown plants from a nursery is the quickest — and most expensive — way to landscape a backyard. But if you’re a gardener on a budget or have a green thumb, try gardening the old-fashioned way. From seeds. Purchase envelopes of plant seeds from a local garden center. ...

To wire or not to wire your new home theater system. Here’s an overview of the pluses and minuses.

Wiring Your Home for Sound — or Not While the latest in home theater systems features wireless technology, plenty of audiophiles still want to wire their homes for sound and video, enjoying the pure fidelity delivered over home-designed networks. Listen up for the pros and cons on wireless versus wired technology. Know your number. Of...

It’s enough to make you sweat! When applying for a mortgage, should you lock in your interest rate or let it “float?” Here’s how to decide.

When to Lock In — Or Float — a Mortgage Rate When applying for a mortgage, one of the first decisions a buyer must make is whether to lock in an interest rate on a mortgage. It’s somewhat of a gamble, but can be less stressful by paying attention to financial trends. How the process works. While shopping for homes, it’s also wise to shop f...

Do your homework first before putting someone to work in your home. Here’s a common-sense check list.

How to Hire and Work with a Contractor When hiring a contractor to do work at your home, you want someone who is honest and competent. Here's how to go about finding the right person for the job.

Food Network chef Alton Brown is famous for saying, “I grill, therefore I am.” Here’s what you need to know to become the grilling star of your backyard.

Let’s Go Shopping for a Grill As the weather warms up, it’s prime time to buy a new grill for those backyard barbecues. To keep your guests coming back for more, choose a grill to match your level of cooking skill. Here are the basics to consider when shopping for a new grill. Types of grills. Outdoor grills are available in [...

Is your tap water safe to drink? Let’s find out.

Does Your House Need a Water Filtration System? Is our water safe to drink? Can it be improved for our consumption? These are questions you may be asking about your home tap water. What’s in your water? The vast majority of Americans get their water from municipal systems. City water is regulated and inspected by government agencies, more so th...

Wishing you a safe & healthy St. Patrick's Day with your family.
Do you know why the three-leaf clover associated with St. Patrick’s Day? Read on to learn about it.

Wishing you a safe & healthy St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick is often depicted with a cross in one hand and a three-leaf clover in the other. He was a Fifth Century missionary and bishop credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick used a three-leaf clover to explain the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.

Can your house pass a sniff-test? Or will potential buyers be turned off by pet odors? Be proactive with these tips that are both pet-friendly and buyer-friendly.

Tips on Selling a Home with Pets When pet owners put their homes up for sale, it’s best to make those beloved animals disappear without a trace. The dog beds, the cat crates, the hair, the chew marks and the smell all need to be removed before the first showing. Here’s a step-by-step guide on selling your home with pets.

Spring is here and it’s time for prep for the warmer weather with this handy list of chores.

Checklist: Spring To-Dos for Homeowners That winter chill is retreating so get your house and yard ready for the warm Spring weather with these 10 maintenance musts.

REMINDER: Spring Forward tonight before bedtime!
Can you name the two U.S. states that do not observe Daylight Saving Time?

Does Daylight Saving Time Reduce Energy Usage? Cultures throughout history have adjusted time measurement to maximize the use of daylight and increase productivity. Versions of Daylight Saving were adopted in Europe and America with the growth of railroads and the industrial age in the 1800s. Daylight Saving Time became permanent in the United S...

Create new memories in this beautiful home.

2505 Village Creek Road Fort Worth, TX 76105 HOME IS BEING SOLD AS IS. An opportunity to own real estate in this fast growing neighborhood. Many renovated houses in the area and many more new construction around.This home is livable, has 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The house needs updates and repairs. Oversized Lot. Solar Panels will be remov...

A quaint old house may be charming, but environmental dangers may lurk beneath the surface. Here’s how to identify toxic dangers.

Word of Caution: Check Older Homes for Environmental Hazards Homes built before 1990 are considered “older” by today’s standards, and those built before 1920 are considered vintage or “heritage.” Owning an older home brings a whole set of challenges not found with newer homes, one of them being the use of environmentally dangerous building materials...

If you're shopping for a robot vacuum, this one deserves a closer look.

Roomba Combo j7 Plus review: now with a mop on top Roomba’s Combo j7 Plus uses a tiny robot arm to mop your floors.

This 3 BED home won't last long! Ping me for details or a showing.

3603 Gallagher Street Dallas, TX 75212

Consider these costs before taking out a bridge loan.

What Is a Bridge Loan? Bridge loans go by many names, but they all refer to short-time workarounds that allow you to borrow money for up to a year.

A beautiful home like this won't stay on the market for very long. 4 bed and 3 bath in great neighborhood! Call, text or direct message me for details.

1200 Royal Meadows Trail Fort Worth, TX 76140 Welcome Home to this beautiful, energy efficient 2 story home! This home boast 4 bedrooms 2.1 baths in the serene Kingspoint neighborhood. It has an open concept with the living room open to the kitchen. The living room has 3 large windows with views to the backyard. The kitchen boasts an expansive....