January 19, 2012 -- Realty Times Feature Article by Carla Hill

It may be cold outside, but it's no time hibernate when it comes to home maintenance. Have you ever wondered how some friends or neighbors live in older homes that are still in good working order? This isn't just a lucky coincidence.

Houses require careful attention, especially in the Winter, in order to keep in good working order. If you take the extra time each season to check your home over and perform the necessary maintenance, then you'll be sure to have a sturdy home for years to come.

First, it's important to keep your family safe and warm when it's chilly outside. Do a twice yearly check on your windows and doors for air leaks. Under most circumstances you can easily fix these with caulking.

Are your windows in need of a more energy efficient upgrade? Have you thought about installing storm windows and doors? These are important questions to ask yourself. If you have older, non-insulated windows it may be time to replace them. You can even deduct some of these upgrades from your incomes taxes!

If you find leaks, then take the necessary action to fix them pronto. You may find that some doors continue to leak air even after you've made them "air-tight." This means it is time for Plan B. Storm doors work wonders for keeping out the elements. Many stores also sell draft blockers that sit at the bottom of you doors.

Next, schedule a time to service your heating system. Central heat and air units need to be checked over. When a unit is well-serviced it will save you fuel and thus money.

If your home is older, then you might consider a trip to the attic to check ductwork. You never know what critter has chewed through ducts or what parts have become disconnected.

While you're in the attic take a hard look at the state of your insulation. Is it adequate for your region? Is ductwork well-insulated? Older homes can sometimes be completely devoid of attic insulation. If so then it's time to bring in some reinforcements. Insulation is relatively inexpensive and can save you big in the long run.

Do you heat using a wood burning fireplace? Is it imperative for your safety to have your chimney cleaned and checked multiple times during the Winter season if you use your fireplace regularly. Chimney fires happen all the time.

There are smaller issues to attend to as well. Did you know that your ceiling fans have two settings for the blades? You want to be sure to reverse your fan in the Winter so that it pushes the hot air (which naturally rises) back down into your living spaces.

Gutters become full of leaves and other debris. If you fail to clean your gutters they can begin to hold water which can eventually rot away the siding and roof of your home.

When the weather drops below freezing you need to keep your pipes from freezing. Let faucets drip and unhook all outdoor hoses.

Finally, every responsible homeowner is stocked with the proper tools. Keep sand or salt on hand to de-ice slipper steps and sidewalks. Invest in a heavy duty snow shovel or snow blower.

Your home is your biggest asset and literally keeps a roof over your head. Be kind and take care even during the chilly Winter months.

• Today's Local Market Conditions Report

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KEEP YOUR OUTDOOR LIGHTING AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE:

*Avoid using the large seven-volt light bulbs. Sure, they are bigger and brighter, but they also burn much hotter than the mini Christmas lights.  One of the most common causes of holiday-time house fires results from these bulbs being too close to gutters filled with dried out leaves.

*Make sure that the strings of lights you are using outside have built-in fuses on the lines.  sometimes, these fuses are located in the actual plug. 

*Make sure to use Christmas lights that are designated for outdoor use only. If you use indoor-rated lights, they may not be able to withstand the weather conditions which will cause them to break down much faster.

Have a wonderful safe holiday!

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 04:00 AM PST

Yesterday, we explained that having someone who truly knows the market was crucial if you were planning to buy or sell a home today. This expert should know what is happening in real estate, understand why it is happening and be able to simply and effectively explain each point to you and your family.  Today, we want to discuss the consequences if you don’t have a true industry professional on your side.

 When families enter into a contract to buy or sell a house, two things are true:

1. The buyer wants to own the home.    
2. The seller wants to sell the home.

In order for both these things to take place, the transaction must be completed. That is not an easy task in the current market.  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Homes Sales Report yesterday. In the report, NAR announced that one out of every three contracts to purchase a home in October never made it to a closing table. 

Cancellations have more than quadrupled in the last 14 months!  According to NAR, cancellations are caused by:  

… declined mortgage applications, failures in loan underwriting from appraised values coming in below the negotiated price, or other problems including home inspections and employment losses.”  

 

Bottom Line

No one can guarantee you won’t face challenges. However, the best agents and mortgage professionals know how to manage the expectations of all the parties involved thus dramatically increasing the chances your deal will close and you and your family will be able to move on with your lives. Hire that true professional!! 

 

The study shows that the four major reasons a person buys a home have nothing to do with money. The top four reasons, in order, are:

• It means having a good place to raise children and provide them with a good education
• You have a physical structure where you and your family feel safe
• It allows you to have more space for your family
• It gives you control of what you do with your living space (renovations and updates)

When we talk about homeownership today, it seems that the financial aspects always jump to the front of the discussion. There is no doubt that families must justify a home purchase from a financial point of view today. However, the reasons they actually buy are the same reasons our parents and grandparents purchased their home – to create a better lifestyle for their families.