(Courtesy of Inman News & Lowe's)

10 ways to winterize your home

Don't forget about exterior grading, indoor air quality

By Paul Bianchina
Inman News™

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November 18, 2011

Fall is in the air already, which means that another chilly winter can't be too far behind. So before the cold weather arrives, here's your annual checklist of things to do to get your home ready for the change of season.
Inside your home
Check smoke detectors: Don't neglect that smoke detector any longer! Take some time right now to check the operation of detectors, and to change the batteries. If you have an older house with a limited number of smoke detectors, install additional ones at each sleeping room, and make sure there is one centrally located on each level of the home as well.
Install a carbon monoxide detector: As houses get closed up for winter, the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning gas appliances increases substantially. If you have a furnace, fireplace, water heater, or other appliance that's fueled by propane or natural gas, or if you have an attached garage, install a carbon monoxide detector. They're available inexpensively from many home centers and other retailers, and offer easy, plug-in installation.
Service your heating system: Perform a complete system check of your furnace annually, either by yourself or by a trained furnace technician. Check for worn belts, lubrication needs or other servicing that might be required; refer to your owner's manual for specific suggestions, and follow any manufacturer safety instructions for shutting the power and fuel to the furnace before servicing. Check the condition of duct joints and insulation, and of course, change the filter.
Upgrade your thermostat: An older thermostat that's a couple of degrees off can result in a lot of wasted energy, and so can forgetting to set the thermostat down at night. You can take care of both of those problems with an upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are digital and typically very accurate, and they allow for easy, set-and-forget programming of temperatures for different times of the day, including energy-saving nighttime and workday setbacks.
Outside your home
Trim trees: Trees that are overhanging your home can be a real hazard. They can deposit debris on your roof, scrape against shingles during wind storms, and, worst of all, snap off with potentially devastating results. Have a professional tree trimming service inspect the condition of overhanging tree limbs, and safely cut them back as needed.
Check the gutters: Clear the gutters of leaf and pine needle debris, and check that the opening between the gutter and the downspout is unobstructed. Look for loose joints or other structural problems with the system, and repair them as needed using pop rivets. Use a gutter sealant to seal any connections where leaks may be occurring.
Break out the caulk: A few hours and few tubes of caulking can make a big difference in both your heating bills and your comfort levels this winter. Caulk around windows, doors, pipes, exterior electrical outlets, and any other exterior penetrations where cold air might enter. Use a good grade of acrylic latex caulk, either in a paintable white or, if you don't want to paint, use clear.
Drain sprinkler systems: In colder areas, now is the time to be thinking about having your sprinkler and irrigation systems blown out. You can rent a compressor and do this yourself, or contact a landscape or irrigation system installer and have them handle this for you. This is also the time to shut off outdoor faucets and install freeze-proof faucet covers as needed.
Adjust exterior grade: Fall is also a great time to look at the grade around your home, and make sure that everything slopes away from your foundation to avoid costly problems with ground water. Add, remove or adjust soil grades as necessary for good drainage.
Change light timers: If you have exterior lights that are controlled by timers, including low-voltage ones, check the timer settings. Change the "on" times to an earlier hour to reflect the earlier winter darkness, so that you always have adequate outside light available.
Remodeling and repair questions? Email Paul at paulbianchina@inman.com. All product reviews are based on the author's actual testing of free review samples provided by the manufacturers.

Five Great Things about Homeownership

Great article Courtesty of Carla Hill w/ RealtyTimes

Five Great Things about Homeownership

by Carla Hill

If you've been on the fence about homeownership, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.

Take a look at five short and sweet reasons that homeownership is great!

1. Equity. When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, buying a home may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market.

2. Relationships: Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. Homeowners, however, have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where they can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.

3. Predictability: Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it's predictable. Most people buying homes today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you'll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.

4. Ownership: Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you "own" your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart's desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!

5. Great Deals: It's a great time to buy. Interest rates are at historic lows. We're talking 4.0 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means big savings for today's buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to your local real estate agent about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.
Homeownership can be a real joy. It's time to get off the fence and into a home that is right for you!

Changing to New Lighting

Courtesy of Premier Inspection Services

Wedding Registries for Home Downpayments

Great article from Realtor Magazine. As with anything, please check with your lender!

Wedding Registries for Home Downpayments?

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011

Forget the toasters and champagne flutes: More engaged couples are doing a different type of wedding registry that allows them to collect cash for a down payment on a home, according to a recent article in The Washington Times. 

Dana Ostomel, founder of Deposit a Gift in New York City, says that about 15 percent of their registries are to raise down-payment funds for a home and another 15 percent are for home-improvement funds to pay for upgrades like a new roof or furniture. 

"Given that 75 percent of today's engaged couples already live together and are older, very often they are already established with the household basics that you find on a traditional registry," Ostomel said. "What they want is the gift of big-ticket items and longer term goals, like the gift of home ownership.”

The FHA permits gifts from a wedding to be used as a down payment, but lenders are required to document that the funds are gifts. About 27 percent of first-time home buyers use gift money from relatives and friends for a down payment, according to a 2010 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers survey.

Source: “Registries Raise Cash Gifts, Avoid Etiquette No-No,” The Washington Times (Oct. 20, 2011)

Winterize Your Home

• Courtesy of NBC Action News & GetButtonedup.com
• By SARAH WELCH and ALICIA ROCKMORE, getbuttonedup.com

Winter will be here within a few short weeks. Cooler months bring a unique set of challenges for keeping the house warm and safe from the elements.

Winterizing a home can seem daunting. But the minute you take a step towards the goal, you realize your perception of the job was much worse than the reality.

Here are 10 simple things you can do to button up your house for winter. We recommend picking one or two related to keeping your house warm (tips 1 through 5) and checking off all the tasks related to keeping it safe (tips 6 through 10).

1. Invest in a draft snake. Drafts can sap anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of your energy use, the U.S. Department of Energy reports. A draft snake or a rolled-up towel under the door can keep the cold air out and seal the heat in. There are lots of cute empty cases available on Etsy, like this cheery striped one for $18. Fill a case with orphaned socks and old t-shirts, or rice and beans.

2. Swap out summer curtains. Your windows can let cold air sneak in. Solve this problem by putting up heavier drapes in place of breezy summer curtains. Use weather stripping on the bottom of windows. Focus on the handful of windows that cause the bulk of your problem.

3. Test your furnace before your need it. You don't want to be stuck on the first cold night with a malfunctioning furnace and no available appointment times. This week, give your system a workout. While you're at it, swap out old filters. It takes two minutes but makes a difference in air quality as well as the system's efficiency.

4. Replace window screens with storm windows. If you've been procrastinating on this front, break the task down into smaller ones. Swap out two per day over the next week. If you're lucky enough to have helping hands, line the family up this weekend and turn the process into a contest. The person who changes the most screens in 20 minutes wins something (an ice cream treat, control of the remote for the week, relief from chores for the next week, etc.).

5. Tweak ceiling fans. Reverse the switch so your ceiling fan blows upward, towards the ceiling. It will circulate the warm air that has risen and save money on your heating bill.

6. Clean your gutters. Remove autumn leaves, which can cause problems when winter arrives. Clogged drains can create ice dams, which can back up and leak into your house. Skip the gym and get a workout the old-fashioned way.

7. Check your winter tools. Did you slog through last winter without an ice scraper in your car? Do you have a functioning snow shovel or snow blower? Take inventory of what you have and ensure it is in good working order.

8. Stock up on salt or sand for traction. You do not want to be caught empty-handed during the first snowstorm of the season.

9. Trim tree branches. While this is a good thing to do in general, this is especially true for those hanging close to the house or electrical wires. Remember, ice and snow can easily weight them down.

10. Put fresh batteries in alarms. We recommend swapping out batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors the same day you set the clocks back. Make an appointment with yourself for Nov. 6 to do just that.

Read more: http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/lifestyle/frugal_living/buttoned-up%3A-winterize-your-house#ixzz1bpK3rAKa

Re/Max State Line Vendor Fair

We had some awesome vendors at our office this morning for a vendor fair & omelette bar. Here is the contact information for these great service providers:

The Lucky Day Omelette Co. - Adriana Swafford
913.940.7919
LuckyDayOmelette@gmail.com
LuckyDayOmelette.com

At Home Cleaning - Tina Trenary & Amber Sibley
913.558.3885 or 913.221.1492
AtHomeCleaningAmber_Tina@yahoo.com

Great Day Moving
877.541.1015
GreatDayMoving.com

Carpet Direct - Lisa Osborne
913.671.0524
LisaO.CarpetDirect@yahoo.com
CarpetDirectKC.com

Bock's Steam Star - Brian R. Bock
913.438.7767
bb@steamstar.net
Steamstar.net

Beth's Wallpaper Magic - Beth Jelinek
Wallpaper Installation & Removal
913.486.4744

Faux Couture - Emily Andrews
Custom Finishes for Walls, Cabinetry & Furniture
816.729.5337
faux.couture@yahoo.com
fauxcouturefinishes.com

Details Innovative Home Staging Solutions, LLC
913.488.6471
detailsihss@gmail.com
Detailshomestagingsolutions.com

AB May Home Warranty - Joe Gurera
913.ABMayKC
joeg@abmay.com
ABMay.com

Chaney Pest Management - Sandy Chaney
913.438.7437
sandy@chaneypest.com
Chaneypest.com

10 Must-Have Mobile Apps for REALTORS(R)

(courtesy of American Home Shield)

10 Must-Have Mobile Apps for REALTORS®

Apps are great—especially the ones that help you get your job done better and faster. Take a look at these favorites and see how they could help make your day a little less hectic.

1. AroundMe (FREE)
This program quickly identifies your location and allows you to choose the nearest bank, bar, gas station, hospital, movie theatre, restaurant and much more. It shows you a complete list of all the businesses within each category, along with the distance from your location. It’s helpful to show buyers what conveniences are close to the property.

2. Suburb Scout for Android ($1.99)
Suburb Scout allows real estate agents, investors and homebuyers to search for possible nuisances in the area of a potential home purchase. It will show sewage plants, airports, nuclear plants, landfills, prisons and rail crossings. This handy app highlights anything that might affect the property value of a home.

3. Yelp (Free)
The app for this online local guide lets you search easily for nearby restaurants, banks, mechanics, gas stations and more. At-a-glance star ratings and customer reviews help you and your clients decide where to take your business. 

4. Open Home Pro for the iPad (FREE)
Open Home Pro offers a great way to collect information about potential clients that visit your open homes. Within seconds you can input their name, email address, number of bedrooms they are seeking and more. It saves all of the data in an address book and even sends a personal thank-you email to every client entered.

5. Dropbox (FREE)
Dropbox makes is easy for you to store, sync and share files online. There’s no complicated interface to learn, and you can access it from multiple computers. It’s one of the easiest ways to transfer files from computers and phones.

6. DocuSign (FREE)
Now, you have the power to send, track and e-sign documents while on the go—anytime and anyplace. View real-time business document status so you instantly know what has been completed and what still needs your attention. Create, tag and modify documents for e-signature. This free app is simply a must for any real estate agent.

7. Documents To Go® Office Suite ($9.99)
This is the only app you need to edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files. It gives you access to all of the standard features and editing tools for making changes from anywhere.

8. GoodReader for iPad or iPhone ($4.99)
GoodReader allows you to annotate PDF’s in a variety of ways. You can edit text, move notes with your finger, add a personalized signature and so much more. This will make communication between your clients a breeze.

9. Loan Calculator Pro ($0.99)
This app calculates the monthly payment for different types of fixed rate loans such as home mortgage, auto and credit cards. You can calculate "what if" scenarios to determine how additional monthly and yearly payments will help you pay off your loan earlier and save money in interest.

10. Keynote ($9.99)
It’s not free, but it’s well worth the money. Keynote works like PowerPoint, but it’s more intuitive and easier to use when you need to create a listing presentation. You can also use Keynote to open PowerPoint files, if you use both programs.