Home Tour Red Flags
Frontdoor.com, HGTV’s real estate Web site, identifies
several potential problems that buyers should look out
for when touring a home.
1. Mediocre Maintenance. Three layers of roofing
and gutters with plants growing out of them are signs
that the owners have not kept up with the property.
What else have they neglected?
2. Foundation Failures. If the yard slopes toward
the house, it could cause water to run down the
foundation walls or into the basement, which could
result in costly repairs. Also if foundation cracks or
bulges are thicker than 1/3 inch, the house could have
serious structural issues.
3. Faulty Wiring. Make sure all switches and outlets
function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t
work, and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all
symptoms of wiring problems.
4. Fresh Paint …On One Wall. New paint can
spruce up walls, but they can also hide bigger
problems, such as water damage, mildew or mold.
5. Foggy or Non-functioning Windows. Check for
water in between double-paned windows and make
sure all windows work properly.
6. Structural Walls and Floors. The house may
have an open floor plan, but was it always open or did
the homeowners renovate? If a load-bearing wall was
removed without adjusting the framing, it can shift
weight to other parts of the house.
7. Bugs. No one wants a
house with a pest
problem. Look for
evidence of
unwelcome
creatures as
you tour
the home.
Frontdoor.com, HGTV’s real estate Web site, identifies
several potential problems that buyers should look out
for when touring a home.
1. Mediocre Maintenance. Three layers of roofing
and gutters with plants growing out of them are signs
that the owners have not kept up with the property.
What else have they neglected?
2. Foundation Failures. If the yard slopes toward
the house, it could cause water to run down the
foundation walls or into the basement, which could
result in costly repairs. Also if foundation cracks or
bulges are thicker than 1/3 inch, the house could have
serious structural issues.
3. Faulty Wiring. Make sure all switches and outlets
function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t
work, and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all
symptoms of wiring problems.
4. Fresh Paint …On One Wall. New paint can
spruce up walls, but they can also hide bigger
problems, such as water damage, mildew or mold.
5. Foggy or Non-functioning Windows. Check for
water in between double-paned windows and make
sure all windows work properly.
6. Structural Walls and Floors. The house may
have an open floor plan, but was it always open or did
the homeowners renovate? If a load-bearing wall was
removed without adjusting the framing, it can shift
weight to other parts of the house.
7. Bugs. No one wants a
house with a pest
problem. Look for
evidence of
unwelcome
creatures as
you tour
the home.
If you’re looking to spice up
the outside appearance of
your home, exterior lighting
offers many options. To get
you started, the lighting pros
at GE explain some basic
lighting techniques.
Ambient lighting, such as
yard lights and porch lights,
provide overall illumination,
while task lighting consists
of low-voltage lights along
sidewalks and paths. Accent
lighting includes spotlights
and other types of special-
the outside appearance of
your home, exterior lighting
offers many options. To get
you started, the lighting pros
at GE explain some basic
lighting techniques.
Ambient lighting, such as
yard lights and porch lights,
provide overall illumination,
while task lighting consists
of low-voltage lights along
sidewalks and paths. Accent
lighting includes spotlights
and other types of special-
effect lighting to dramatize outdoor sculptures and fountains.
To add depth and drama, try uplighting trees, landscape features
and architectural elements by placing lights at an angle so objects
are lit from below. Backlighting, which is achieved by angling a
light against a wall or fence behind an object, creates a beautiful
silhouette.
For security, make sure patios, porches and other outdoor
living spaces are well lit, especially where there are steps that
can be a potential tripping hazard. To prevent uninvited pests
from crashing your next patio party, use bug lights, which contain
a special coating that makes the light invisible to bugs, so they
aren’t drawn to it.
Whichever lighting technique you use, use Energy Star bulbs,
which use up to 75 percent less energy and last 8 to 10 times
longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs. Outdoor timers and
motion sensors also can save money and conserve energy. To
get maximum effect from your outdoor lighting, clean exposed
bulbs several times during the season.
Once you master these few lighting techniques, your home will
exude a warm glow that attracts admirers and would-be buyers.
To add depth and drama, try uplighting trees, landscape features
and architectural elements by placing lights at an angle so objects
are lit from below. Backlighting, which is achieved by angling a
light against a wall or fence behind an object, creates a beautiful
silhouette.
For security, make sure patios, porches and other outdoor
living spaces are well lit, especially where there are steps that
can be a potential tripping hazard. To prevent uninvited pests
from crashing your next patio party, use bug lights, which contain
a special coating that makes the light invisible to bugs, so they
aren’t drawn to it.
Whichever lighting technique you use, use Energy Star bulbs,
which use up to 75 percent less energy and last 8 to 10 times
longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs. Outdoor timers and
motion sensors also can save money and conserve energy. To
get maximum effect from your outdoor lighting, clean exposed
bulbs several times during the season.
Once you master these few lighting techniques, your home will
exude a warm glow that attracts admirers and would-be buyers.
It’s finally time to pull out the patio furniture, fire up the grill and enjoy
outdoor activities in your yard. Here are some tips from HGTV.com that
will keep your grass looking green all summer long.
When cutting the grass, try to keep its height at about two-and-a-half to
three inches. Sharpen the blade of your mower at least three times a
year to avoid grass split ends, and be sure to change your mowing
pattern to prevent soil compaction, which will inhibit grass growth.
Instead of lightly watering your grass three to four times a week, give it
a good soaking once a week – most lawns need about an inch of
water. Watering early in the morning is best.
To combat weeds, make sure to use herbicides specially formulated to
combat the types of weeds that are growing in your yard. If you aren’t
a fan of herbicides, weed removal tools, such as weed hounds, usually
do the trick.
Over-fertilizing is a common problem and can kill your lawn. You
should only fertilize in the spring and summer months if you neglected
to apply fertilizer in the fall. Every time you mow your lawn the
clippings provide nitrogen, an excellent natural fertilizer.
Finally, keep kids, pets, vehicles and wheelbarrows off moist soil and
emerging grass. Wait until your lawn is full and dry to enjoy it.
outdoor activities in your yard. Here are some tips from HGTV.com that
will keep your grass looking green all summer long.
When cutting the grass, try to keep its height at about two-and-a-half to
three inches. Sharpen the blade of your mower at least three times a
year to avoid grass split ends, and be sure to change your mowing
pattern to prevent soil compaction, which will inhibit grass growth.
Instead of lightly watering your grass three to four times a week, give it
a good soaking once a week – most lawns need about an inch of
water. Watering early in the morning is best.
To combat weeds, make sure to use herbicides specially formulated to
combat the types of weeds that are growing in your yard. If you aren’t
a fan of herbicides, weed removal tools, such as weed hounds, usually
do the trick.
Over-fertilizing is a common problem and can kill your lawn. You
should only fertilize in the spring and summer months if you neglected
to apply fertilizer in the fall. Every time you mow your lawn the
clippings provide nitrogen, an excellent natural fertilizer.
Finally, keep kids, pets, vehicles and wheelbarrows off moist soil and
emerging grass. Wait until your lawn is full and dry to enjoy it.
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Light Up the Night
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| fast fact >> >> >> >> >> >> >> |
Dirt and dust build-up on exterior
light bulbs can cause light loss of
up to 40 percent.
Source: GELighting.com
light bulbs can cause light loss of
up to 40 percent.
Source: GELighting.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Green Thumb |
Work With a Proven Leader
Buying a home is one of the biggest and
most emotional decisions you will ever
make. So it’s important to work with
someone who can provide sound advice
and a steady, guiding hand when you need
it. That’s why a CRS agent is the best
person for the job.
A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is
a proven leader in residential real estate.
CRSs are among the top 4 percent of all
agents in the country. CRS agents have a
high volume of transactions and advanced
training in areas such as business
planning, real estate investing, marketing
and technology. They have years of
experience, demonstrated success and
professional advice to help you make smart
decisions about buying or selling your
home. They must also maintain
membership in the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and
abide by its Code of Ethics.
With so much at stake in the fast-paced
and competitive world of real estate, you
know you can count on a CRS agent to
provide the best service for your real estate
needs.
most emotional decisions you will ever
make. So it’s important to work with
someone who can provide sound advice
and a steady, guiding hand when you need
it. That’s why a CRS agent is the best
person for the job.
A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is
a proven leader in residential real estate.
CRSs are among the top 4 percent of all
agents in the country. CRS agents have a
high volume of transactions and advanced
training in areas such as business
planning, real estate investing, marketing
and technology. They have years of
experience, demonstrated success and
professional advice to help you make smart
decisions about buying or selling your
home. They must also maintain
membership in the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and
abide by its Code of Ethics.
With so much at stake in the fast-paced
and competitive world of real estate, you
know you can count on a CRS agent to
provide the best service for your real estate
needs.