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If you’ve ever been to a block party, you know it is a great way to gather your neighborhood friends together for some fun. You can easily throw a block party everyone who lives near your Orlando home will love. Here’s how:

1. Enlist the help of your neighbors. Throwing a block party at your Orlando home is a major undertaking, so you will need all the help you can get. Ask others in your community to help you plan, decorate, prepare food, and clean.
2. Get permission. You don’t want your party broken up by the police or fined by the homeowner’s association. Find out from your municipal government if you are required to get a permit for a block party. Follow up with your homeowner’s association and make sure they will allow the block party.
3. Select a theme. Themed parties are easier to plan and more fun for the guests. For example, if you choose a beach theme, you know what colors and accessories to use in the decorations: anything blue or tan, coconuts, beach balls, and Frisbees. You also know to serve beach foods like hamburgers and hotdogs.
4. Plan a menu and decorate. Keep the menu and decorations simple to prepare and easy to clean. Choose food that can be eaten without utensils, like finger foods and sandwiches. Don’t use elaborate decorations.
5. Have fun. The most important part of your block party is the party itself. Give yourself permission to enjoy the party and the company of your neighbors. Talk to people. Laugh with your neighbors. Participate in any games you play. This is your night to shine.
6. Clean up. If you planned properly and have enough help, clean up shouldn’t be too overwhelming. Make sure the area where you held the party is completely litter-free and looks better than it did before the party. Don’t give your homeowner’s association any reason to prohibit future block parties.

Getting to know neighbors makes life more enjoyable.  Throwing a block party is a great way to accomplish that while also having fun.

Let me help you find an Orlando home in a great neighborhood. Call us today at 407-876-5771.

If your Orlando home needs a face-lift, you can instantly brighten up the appearance of your house by staining your deck.  There are many different types of wood stain sold at home improvement stores.  You’ll need to keep a few things in mind when choosing wood stain:

·         What kind of wood are you staining?  Different types of stain are made for different kinds of wood.  Some stains are specifically made for pre-treated wood only.  Untreated wood requires special care and specific stain and sealant products.

·         What color deck do you want?  Most stains will look like natural wood when dried.  You can choose from oak to redwood and even cherry woods to match your Orlando home.

·         What are the weather conditions where you live?  Since the secondary purpose of most stains is to act as a sealant, you’ll need to pick the type that will be most beneficial to your deck.  Some stains protect against ultra-violet rays and others are made to protect against wood rot and mildew.

·         How much stain do you need to buy?  You’ll need to calculate the square footage of your deck to know what quantity of paint to buy.  Check the labeling on the stain.  Some brands require more than one coat for the best results. 

After you’ve chosen the stain for your deck, pick up a few supplies to apply the stain:

• Buy work gloves to keep your hands from becoming discolored by the stain. 
• Most home improvement stores will have paint pans and brushes for sale near the stain.
• Because stain is very thin, it tends to drip easily.  You may find that a paint pad will apply the stain more efficiently than a paintbrush.

Want more tips on how to improve your Orlando home’s appearance?  Subscribe to my blog now.  It’s fast and free.