educational

How to Properly Self-Clean Your Oven If food drippings and grease have made your oven a big mess, self-cleaning option on your oven can come in handy. It's a convenient option that takes care of the cleaning for you, so you can focus on other things. If you're a little wary about using the self-cleaning oven feature, look no further. Today, we're going over how to use the self-cleaning function on your...

You Ask, We Answer: What Are the Best Deer-Resistant Plants? Gardening season in Connecticut is finally here, and we at Calcagni Real Estate couldn’t be happier about it. But if you’re already dismayed by the breakfast buffet your garden has become for neighborhood deer, fear not: There are plants you can incorporate into your garden that may help to deter the deer from feasting on your flowers....

Our Favorite Garden Trends for 2022 With the spring season in full swing, many of us are looking for gardening inspiration to get us excited about more time outdoors. These garden trends for 2022 have it all: From eco-friendly forethought and garden-as-supermarket to elevating the work-from-home lifestyle, there’s something for everyone this year. Grab your shovel and get ready to be inspired, because...

10 Easy Tips to Celebrate Earth Day (and Every Day!) Friday, April 22 is Earth Day, and that means carving out time to thank our beautiful planet for all it provides us. If you’re looking for more ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, you’re not alone! Just a few simple tweaks in how we live our daily lives can go a long way in helping care for our planet, and future generations. Read on for...

You Ask, We Answer: How Do I Pick Paint Colors for a Cohesive Look? Painting your walls can be one of the most rewarding home improvement projects, but it can also be the one of the most daunting—even for Calcagni Real Estate agents who see countless home interiors every week! If you’re considering indoor paint colors but aren’t sure how to create a cohesive palette that works from room to room,...

You Ask, We Answer: What Are the Ceiling Trends for 2022? Flat, popcorn, skip trowel: Whatever you think you know about ceiling textures, 2022 is taking ceiling decor to new heights, making them a surprise focal point of different rooms in the house. If you love your home but just feel like it needs a little design shakeup, keep reading. Ceilings are having a design moment in 2022, and with a little...

Image courtesy of signaturefd.com You Ask, We Answer: Why Should I Consider Refinancing Now?If you’re a Connecticut homeowner, chances are you’ve secured your mortgage at a higher rate than it is today. That’s because current mortgage interest rates are at a historic low—and that means refinancing may help save you money every month. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic...

The Top 5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own Having a well-stocked toolbox is a bit like having plumbing that works: We take for granted how easy each makes our lives until something breaks. Whether you’re a first time Connecticut homebuyer or a veteran homeowner who just doesn’t have the “fix it gene,” knowing what tools to have on hand for any situation can save you money—not to mention time...

Preparing Your Home for a Senior: How to Make It Safe, Comfortable, and Inviting By Ray Flynn, DiyGuys.net Preparing your home to receive a senior relative is a big job. Many families open up their homes to parents or grandparents who can’t live alone anymore due to safety or health issues, and while it can be a better alternative to assisted living in a care facility, it can also take work, both...

Time to Outsource: Some Repairs Are Better Left to the Pros By Ray Flynn, DiyGuys.net With so many resources at your fingertips, you may be quite the DIY pro when it comes to home repair.  You’ve conquered projects like patching holes in the wall, laying down new hardwood flooring, and installing a backsplash in your kitchen.  Resources like instruction books, TV shows, and YouTube videos enable...