Why You Still Need a Realtor®

You are surrounded with tools you could use to sell your home yourself, but just because you could, doesn’t mean you should. Take a few minutes to discover why a real estate agent may be more valuable than ever...(More)

Take Action Now for a Warmer, Safer Winter.

Whether you feel a nip in the air or not, now is the time to prepare your home for the cold days of winter that may lie ahead...(More)

Does Your Home Have Feng Shui?

The ancient Chinese traditions of feng shui have become very popular and are shaping many building and design trends. While the concepts can be very involved, here are some feng shui basics you may find interesting...(More)

Don't Be a Victim of Identity Theft

Every day, identity theft is becoming more prevalent. Instead of worrying, take action to help prevent someone from cashing in on your good name...(More)

Why You Still Need a Realtor®

Many home sellers are looking for ways to maximize their profits from a home sale. However, those that think cutting out agent commissions might be a good idea, could very well be making a big mistake.

The housing market has never been more crowded with homes to sell. That means the expertise and extra work a real estate agent brings could be more valuable than ever. After all, selling a home may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, but it’s a frequent event for successful realtors.

There are even more reasons why hiring a professional real estate agent can be right for you:

• Convenience. It can save you a lot of time and inconvenience to have a real estate agent shielding you from half-hearted shoppers. Let the real estate agent handle all those calls, bringing only the most likely purchasers into your home.

• Emotional buffer. It’s not easy hearing what other people think about your beloved home. When negotiations for a home sale begin, having someone who is on your side but is not emotionally involved can make a big difference in a positive outcome.

• Proper pricing. While the asking price is ultimately your decision, a real estate agent can provide the in-depth market and sales information that will help you arrive at the right selling price for your home.

• Knowledge of buyers. Though you probably don’t know anyone who wants to buy your home, there’s a good chance your real estate agent could make that connection. Through their own contacts, and those of their associates, they may know just the person who will love your home as much as you do. It’s not uncommon for an agent to know just the right buyer and guide them quickly to your home.

• Advice. Real estate agents understand the ins and outs of contracts and negotiations; they can advise you on services that can help sell your home, like a home inspection and home warranty, as well as negotiation details.

• Paperwork. Today’s purchase agreements can run on for pages, so it helps to have someone working with you who understands the details and can help you steer clear of pitfalls.

• Future resources. The help your real estate agent provides can continue far beyond a home transaction; they can continue to be a resource for anything from professional cleaning services, to plumbers, to home painters. Agents often work with their clients to improve their homes for better sale prices, and also help new home owners find the services they need; their expertise and recommendations can help you find qualified services.

Of course, all this is in conjunction with the general information, education, training and knowledge, a professional real estate agent can bring to the table. So think twice before you decide to go it alone when selling a home because it’s a decision that could cost you in more ways than one.

Back To Top

Start outside:

• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and functioning properly.

• Drain and winterize all outside faucets and the sprinkler system. Empty any water hoses, coil and store.

• Repair any damage to sidewalks, driveways, and steps before ice or snow makes them worse.

• Make sure your chimney is clear of bird nests and leaves. Consider calling in a professional chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.

• Check and repair any gaps in weather-stripping or calk around doors and windows. Failure to do so could add 10% to your winter heating bill.

• Make sure doors and windows have no missing or loose glazing putty.

• Winterize the lawn mower and clean, sharpen and oil all metal gardening tools before storing. Make sure your snow removal tools are operational and ready to go (if applicable).

Follow this checklist inside your home:

• Consider having a professional inspect and service your furnace. Also, be sure to replace the furnace filters and clean and adjust the humidifier.

• Clean heating ducts, grills, and registers.

• Clean lint and any other debris out of dryer vents.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide monitors as well as fire extinguishers.

• Reprogram your thermostat for the winter weather. Keeping your thermostat no higher than 72 degrees when people are home will help control energy costs.

• Unclog slow running drains.

• Make sure bath and shower caulking is intact.

• If your home is not insulated, seriously consider installing insulation in your attic to reduce drafts and heating costs.

Not only will it give you a warm feeling now to know your home is in good shape for winter, you’ll probably feel cozier all season long.

Back To Top

There are many different schools of feng shui (pronounced fung shway), but all revolve around the placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. Its purpose is to enhance the flow of energy, luck and well being.

Is it valid? Many swear by the application of feng shui principles in their homes, and even in major business structures. However, some see it as superstition. Regardless, it can be interesting to see if your home is in harmony with feng shui.

Here are a few of the guidelines feng shui advocates:

• To sleep better, neither your head nor your feet should be directly opposite the door when sleeping, though you should be positioned to see the door.

• Sleeping under a window is also discouraged as it can disperse some of your positive energy.

• Couches and chairs should always be placed so everyone seated can see the doorway.

• Stairs should not be directly opposite the front door.

• Exterior doors in a house should not line up directly as this allows positive energy to easily flow in one door and out the other.

• Some objects have the power to redirect energy in space and need to be used positively, including mirrors, crystals, wind chimes, and flowing or standing water.

• Tabletops should be kept simple; piles of objects represent stress you may be carrying with you.

• Straight lines and sharp corners should be avoided, since these are not found in nature.

These are just a few of the many elements that impact feng shui design. If you are interested in finding out more about this subject, there are many books available at libraries and bookstores.

What’s interesting is how many of the basic principles were already incorporated in North American homes even before feng shui became popular on this side of the Pacific. Perhaps some elements of feng shui are just good, basic design.

Back To Top

Don't Be a Victim of Identity Theft

There are many things you can do to keep identity theft from becoming part of your life. The good news is most of the steps you can take to protect your identity are simple.

Protect Your Mail.

Collect your mail from your mailbox promptly and if you suddenly stop receiving mail, report it to the post office immediately. Sometimes thieves will arrange to have your mail forwarded so they can collect financial information. Outgoing mail, such as bill payments, should be deposited in secured public mailboxes.

When you’re leaving town, arrange to have your mail held by the U.S. Postal Service
(call 1-800-275-8777 or fill out a request at your local branch). Shred credit offers you receive in the mail, or eliminate them from your mail altogether by calling
1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). This is a toll-free number shared by the three national consumer reporting companies that provide many of these mail lists; they will honor your request if you ask to be excluded.

Keep Your Information Private.

PINs, passwords, account numbers, and your Social Security number should all be carefully protected. Never give any of these out unless you initiate the communication – whether it’s online, by phone or written correspondence. A popular scam is for "companies" to say you have won a prize that will require you giving them your private information; don’t give yours out!

Shred any unneeded documents, bills, or correspondence that may contain any private or financial information.

Try to make your passwords hard to guess. Use a random sequence of numbers and letters, and change your passwords often. Keep a secure record of your passwords, but not online. In fact, it’s safer to opt out of computer programs that ask to automatically store your passwords for convenience.

Watch out for public computers. Computers retain a history of the sites you visit. The next user can easily back track and gather information that gives them access to your accounts.

Know Your Credit Status.

Start by getting a free copy of your credit report from one of the national consumer reporting companies; they can be accessed at www.annualcreditreport.com. You’re also entitled to a free report after being denied credit or insurance, and in other circumstances. By reviewing your report, you can find out if someone else has an unauthorized credit card in your name.

You should never leave your card unattended or loan them to others. When using your credit card(s), be careful and make sure you take all receipts. Keep all cards nearby or in a secure place at work, when shopping, at the gym, or in a restaurant.

Protect Your Computer.

It’s best not to have any personal or financial information on a laptop computer – they’re simply too easy to steal. If possible, all your computers should have virus protection software that is updated regularly and automatically.

If your Internet connection keeps you continuously connected, you need to install a firewall program that prevents unwanted access to your computer, as well as using a secure browser to guard online transactions.

When it’s time to get rid of a computer, simply deleting files isn’t enough and some information may remain behind. Instead, use a utility program that completely wipes out everything on your hard drive.

Always keep in mind that identity thieves look for the easiest mark and by taking these simple precautions, you may send them looking elsewhere.

Back To Top