New Year's Resolutions for Your Home
Whether you have a new home or you've been in your home for years, why not make 2007 "the year" you get your house and household finances in shape? It could prevent you from encountering costly problems later on- and help you get top dollar when you sell it. The first thing you need to do is develop and implement a plan. The Insurance Information Institute, the American Society of Home Inspectors, and the National Association of Home Builders offer maintenance tips that you should adopt in the year ahead. 1. Water. Check water pipes and sewer lines for cracks, rusting or leaking; turn on faucets to test water pressure and volume; and look for clogged or sluggish drains or dripping faucets.Wrap your pipes every winter and insulate unfinished rooms such as garages if they contain exposed pipes. Check for signs of leaking and rusting on the water heater.
2. Electricity. Check the electrical system's load center to see if there are fuses or circuit breakers; also check the age and look for signs exposed wires.
3. Heat. Check your heating system for gas leaks. Maintain your fireplace, water heater, space heater or wood-burning stove and have the heating system serviced every year. Keep vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns clean and free of dust.
4. Gas. Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as well as change your heating and air conditioning filters.
5. Insulation. Your attic should be at least 5-10 degrees warmer than outside air. Check caulking around windows and doors and repair it if needed.
6. Basement/Attic. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will protect your pipes from freezing. Check the basement for signs of water leaking, dampness, flooding, dry rot and termites.
7. Exterior. Remove debris from gutters. Check steps and handrails for stabilty. Inspect the roof for loose shingles; gaps in the flashing, vents and flues. Inspect the exterior walls, look for possible weather damage like cracks or loose mortar.
8. You should also resolve to get your finances in order. You should begin by not splurging. Refrain from using credit cards and keep other financial goals, such as retirement, in mind. You should keep at least three months' salary in an emergency fund. Think about E-payments, which ensure that you will never be late which can add on an extra late payment fee. Keep financial documents organized so you can be prepared at tax time. If interest rates go down, you may want to take out a new loan at the lower rate to replace your original loan, but be sure to consider how much refinancing the loan will cost you. Refinancing will not be a benefit you unless you plan on staying in your home for at least five years. Also, budget for any major repairs or remodeling projects you have coming up in 2007. If you've been neglecting landscaping make plans to work on it. The right landscape can increase the value of your home by 15 percent, allowing you to recoup 100 to 200 percent of your investment, according to the Association of Landscape Contractors of America. Keep all receipts for any home improvements. You may be eligible to reduce the capital gain that could come when you eventually sell. The improvement would be one that permanently increases the value of the house. By keeping your home finances in order in 2007, you will be thanking yourself this time next year.
Water in our Veins–Meet Lake James Real Estate
Please call us if we can help with any of your real estate needs at Lake James – who better to help you than people who live, play and work here!
Polly Leadbetter – Owner/Broker P/ 828-584-9999 C/ 828-443-5407
Shane Cook – Sales P/828-584-9999 C/828-443-3205
Rhonda Edge – Sales P/828-584-9999 C/828-443-6595
Amanda Hotchkiss – Sales P/ 828-584-9999 C/ 828-335-3001
Marc Parham – Sales P/828-584-9999 C/828-443-1337
Denice Rechtiene – Sales P/828-584-9999 C/828-432-6976
