As the days are getting shorter and nights colder, it is clear that winter is fast approaching. Make sure your home is prepared for the lower temperatures with some simple preventative maintenance.
Roof, Gutters and Downspouts
Make sure gutters are well cleared of leaves, sticks and other debris. Once gutters are emptied, run water through downspouts to ensure there is no blockage. If left undone, a simple obstruction could cause water to back up and seep through walls and ceilings causing serious and expensive damage. A wise investment would include either gutter guards or screens that lessen or entirely prevent the debris that accumulates in the gutters in the first place.
Water Heater
It would be awful to have your hot water heater malfunction on a cold winter day. As part of your annual service call, have your hot water heater tested. This should include testing the tank’s pressure and temperature relief valve while also removing sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining 2 gallons of water. This will help improve the efficiency and heat transfer of your unit.
Heating and Cooling System
Book your annual service with your oil company before it gets too cold or you will find yourself on a long wait list. If you do not have a service contract, or prefer to do it yourself, change the disposable filters, vacuum lint and dirt from blower blades and motor and clean air passages. Check or replace fan belts if needed.
Doors and Windows
By making sure doors and windows are properly sealed, you can help control heating costs. Weather stripping should be repaired or replaced around window frames and door bottoms and jams. Install storm windows and doors if available.
Water Pipes
Major damage from frozen or burst pipes can be easily prevented with advance preparation.. Before the cold weather sets in, add insulation to your pipes located in unheated areas. Simply wrap the pipes with blanket insulation or heating tape or completely incase them with preformed foam. Check for leaks and cracks and correct any minor problems.
Fireplace
Call a reputable fireplace sweep company. Do not fall for the phone calls claiming they are already working on homes in your area. Your chimney flue should be cleaned annually. Have the seal on your flue inspected to keep out drafts. Check for loose masonry and ensure your fireplace is in good working order.
Inexpensive quick fixes now will help you avoid expensive and time consuming troubles later.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Make Your Offer Stand Out Every Time !
Unless you have had your head in the sand at Compo Beach, you already know that it is a “Buyer’s Market” when it comes to home sales. Reduced asking prices, coupled with historically low mortgage lending rates, have sparked an enthusiasm into Westport’s residential market. A properly priced home in the right location is once again creating a frenzy and even bidding wars. An educated buyer should be prepared to put their best foot forward to ensure they will obtain an accepted offer from their bid.
Price - Clearly, price is one of the primary considerations when a seller is reviewing your offer. If you find yourself in a bidding war, consider offering the seller a premium of a set dollar amount above their highest offer.
Financing – Before you prepare an offer, it is important to meet with a mortgage lender. It doesn’t matter to the seller if you speak with a Mortgage Broker or The Lender directly, as long as you are prequalified. However, a “pre-qualification” will only take you so far. This shows that you can afford the property based on the information that you have given the lender. However, a “pre-approval” goes a few steps further. A pre-approval verifies your employment and your credit history. You can be cleared for a pre-determined maximum loan, allowing you to make a “mortgage contingency” free offer, which reduces the seller’s risk greatly, in essence making your offer more appealing.
Good Faith Deposit – When a potential buyer offers a larger than the customary 1% earnest money deposit with an offer, it will certainly gain a seller’s attention. It can demonstrate the buyer’s motivation and their ability to accumulate funds quickly.
Contingencies – Minimizing contingencies and clauses that make it harder for the buyer to cancel the contract once inspections and financing is secured will go a long way to prove to a seller the buyer’s desire to make the transaction continue smoothly. Certainly a first time buyer or renter is extra appealing to a seller, so the sale of their current house does not complicate the timing or ability to close.
Build a Relationship – Try connecting with the seller on some level. Of course price, terms and contingencies are always going to prevail, but if all else is comparable, a seller tends to like accepting an offer from people that they have met, and who they believe will take good care of their home.
Trust your seasoned Realtor to know the best way to position your offer. Whether you are planning to purchase your dream home or an investment property, knowledge, skill and your agent’s expertise will help you facilitate making a sound offer that, when realistic, will lead to an accepted offer.
Price - Clearly, price is one of the primary considerations when a seller is reviewing your offer. If you find yourself in a bidding war, consider offering the seller a premium of a set dollar amount above their highest offer.
Financing – Before you prepare an offer, it is important to meet with a mortgage lender. It doesn’t matter to the seller if you speak with a Mortgage Broker or The Lender directly, as long as you are prequalified. However, a “pre-qualification” will only take you so far. This shows that you can afford the property based on the information that you have given the lender. However, a “pre-approval” goes a few steps further. A pre-approval verifies your employment and your credit history. You can be cleared for a pre-determined maximum loan, allowing you to make a “mortgage contingency” free offer, which reduces the seller’s risk greatly, in essence making your offer more appealing.
Good Faith Deposit – When a potential buyer offers a larger than the customary 1% earnest money deposit with an offer, it will certainly gain a seller’s attention. It can demonstrate the buyer’s motivation and their ability to accumulate funds quickly.
Contingencies – Minimizing contingencies and clauses that make it harder for the buyer to cancel the contract once inspections and financing is secured will go a long way to prove to a seller the buyer’s desire to make the transaction continue smoothly. Certainly a first time buyer or renter is extra appealing to a seller, so the sale of their current house does not complicate the timing or ability to close.
Build a Relationship – Try connecting with the seller on some level. Of course price, terms and contingencies are always going to prevail, but if all else is comparable, a seller tends to like accepting an offer from people that they have met, and who they believe will take good care of their home.
Trust your seasoned Realtor to know the best way to position your offer. Whether you are planning to purchase your dream home or an investment property, knowledge, skill and your agent’s expertise will help you facilitate making a sound offer that, when realistic, will lead to an accepted offer.
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