Is Your Home Ready For Winter?

The change of seasons signals a time to prepare your home for winter, no matter what climate you call home. Taking the following steps now can not only save money, but provide added warmth and peace of mind. Clean the gutters. Remove leaves and other debris from the gutters using your hand, a scraper or spatula, then rinse down with a hose. Also check that the downspouts are carrying water away from the house’s foundation, where it could cause flooding or water damage. Seal the leaks. If your home feels drafty, cold air may be seeping in from around the window and door frames, electrical outlets and recessed lighting. Apply caulk around these areas, and use door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors. Test smoke detectors. Make sure smoke detectors operate properly and replace the batteries, if needed. Also invest in a carbon monoxide detector, and make sure the fire extinguisher works.

Take care of windows. In colder climates, remove window screens and put up storm windows, which will add warmth and protect your home from the elements. If you don’t have storm windows and the windows are leaky or drafty, consider updating to more efficient ones. Or for a low-cost solution, use a window insulator kit to keep out cold air. Inspect the chimney. Before using the fireplace, have the chimney inspected for creosote buildup, and if needed, cleaned. When the fireplace is not in use, keep the chimney damper closed to keep out cold air. Add insulation. Most homes in the U.S. need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in the attic regardless of the climate. Check the furnace. Before the coldest temperatures set in, turn on your furnace to make sure it’s working properly. Check the filters monthly and change them if they are dirty. A dirty filter impedes air flow and could cause a fire in extreme circumstances.

No Regrets About Homeownership

Despite the ups and downs of the housing market, most homeowners, including those who are underwater on their mortgages, don’t regret their decision to own a home. In a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, three out of four Americans believe that homeownership is the best long-term investment and is worth the risk. Some 95 percent say they are happy with the decision to own a home. That sentiment is also strong among homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) believe owning a home is worth the risk of the ups and downs of the housing market, and 83 percent of say they are happy with their decision to own a home. Four out of five homeowners overall (80 percent) say they would advise a friend or family member to buy a home, while slightly fewer (78 percent) underwater homeowners would do the same. Only 19 percent of underwater homeowners believe homeownership is too risky.

Penny-pinching tips for using less energy and water at home

Save money by making a few changes in energy and water around the house. Here are a few penny-pinching tips.

Wash with cold water. Tide 2X Ultra for cold water is a top performer.

Put your computer to sleep. Use the standby or hibernating feature.

Line dry your clothes.

No prerinsing needed for the dishes. It is not necessary with most dishwashers. Just scrape and load.

Clean the refrigerater. Clean the coils behind and beneath the refrigerater.

Open the blinds and curtains. On a sunny winter day it will let in the solar heat. Close the binds and curtains at night to keep in the heat.

Upgrade your toilet. Low-flow toilets can save about 4,000 gallons of water a year.

Insulate and seal all heating and cooling ducts.

Plant shade trees on the west and southwest side of your house. This will help save energy by blocking the solar heat.

Change your showerhead. A high-efficiency showerhead will save on hot-water use by up to 50%.

Change your light bulbs. Switching to compact fluorescent lights.

By making a few simple changes around your house can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Many of them won't cost you anything.

Guitars, Cadillacs, Hillbilly Music

Dwight Yoakam Concert - September 2nd - Horseshoe Casino - Elizabeth, IN --------- I attended the Dwight Yoakam Concert with friends and we all had a great time. The concert was packed and everyone had fun singing and dancing to the music. He has several songs that are a favorite of mine. I started listening to his music back in 1995 when I was commuting to Bloomington in the evening, while attending Real Estate School at the IU Campus. It was so much fun to actually see him in concert for the first time.

Autumn

"Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits"

Samuel Butler