Summer Vacation and Your Home!

Summer Vacation and Your Home!

You found your perfect home, you bought it, you moved in and unpacked, and now you're ready for some well deserved R&R.  Whether it's just a few days out of town or a few weeks on a tropical island, there are some things you should do to prepare your home for your absence.

Preparing to Leave

Clean Out the Fridge:  Throw away anything that is or will be expired by the time you come back. Wipe down the shelves and door jams to prevent mold or mildew.

Shut off the water:  If a hose to a dishwasher or washing machine were to break, you could come home to a very large mess.  So turn off the water to at least those appliances.  You might want to run them and then leave the doors open to let them dry out so you prevent mold and mildew.  Also, getting the laundry and dishes done means no mess or extra work when you get home.

Prep Your plants and outdoor space:  Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear.  Overflow could seep under siding and flood basements.  Mow and trim plants and hedges.  Ask a friend or neighbor to help or pay a neighborhood kid to mow and check on the house.

Leave on some lights:  Make it look like your home by leaving on some lights or have them on a timer if you don't want to waste money on your electric bill. Maybe pay the same kid who is mowing to turn on some lights at night. However you do it, it's important that your home look lived in even when your away.  Most criminals are opportunists; they will take the easy route every time.  So don't make it easy.

Unplug and reset thermostat:  Unplug all your appliances; they suck up energy even when not in use and no one wants their house to catch on fire because of a loose or crossed wire. In addition to that, reset your AC. You don't want to turn it off completely because it could get very musty, so set your AC to 85 and your house will stay cool and free of mildew.

Hold mail and newspapers:  A few quick phone calls and the post office and local delivery boy will hold all your stuff till you get back. Or you can give that kid a few more dollars and a key and he can take care of it for you.  

Preparing for your return

Food:  Make sure you have some non-perishables so when you get back, your first meal home is hassle free. (things like pop tarts, coffee, and soup are good to have.

Keep the house fresh:  Plug in an air freshener oooor you know that kid? Yeah have him open a few windows for a couple of hours a day.

Change the sheets:  There is nothing worse then coming home from vacation and having to do work.  Changing your sheets and maybe putting a dryer sheet in the blankets will insure a great night's sleep on your return home.

Tidy Up:  Sweep, Vacuum, Wipe down counters and any other stuff you know you won't want to do when you come home.

Happy vacation and don't forget to tip your neighborhood kid: he worked hard while you were gone!!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Bi-Polar Market

Bi-polar Market

We all know the Market is hot right now.  Burning hot in some areas of the country, but did you also know that home ownership rates are nearing record lows?  According to realtormag, the first quarter of this year's home ownership plummeted to 63.6 percent, the third lowest on record.  With that said home builders say they are finally ready to build more new homes.  NAHB forecasters predict that single-family production will see a 14 percent uptick this year to 812,000 units, and then rise another 19 percent to 964,000.  Are you confused yet?  Just wait it gets better. 

New York Fed President and CEO William C. Dudley stated that "the housing market should remain on a solid trajectory, supported by rising employment and low mortgage rates. I continue to anticipate that consumption and housing activity will expand at a moderate pace this year."  Which all sounds really good, except lots of real estate agents like Marianne Guenther Bornhoft are a little scared.  "I'm a little scared that people are going to, again, get ahead of themselves."  Aaron Cunningham, owner of the Citibroker firm, has similar worries.  "I'm making more money today than I ever have, However, when times are good , it's really easy to get stupid."  Many agents don't feel we have a sustainable market right now but they also don't think it's a bubble either.  So what is it that's happening right now?  Inventory is down, prices are up, bidding wars are becoming the new norm, mortgage rates are not rising, the economy is coming back, and with all this the market looks a little like it did before the last crash.   What The Hell!

What does it all mean?  I'm not really sure but what I do know is we all (buyers, sellers and agents) need to be careful. Be aware that all the normal rules still apply so don't get crazy or emotional about selling or buying your home.    Always let logic rule and make sure you have an agent that knows what they are doing.  Good luck out there.

 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Are You Really Ready to Sell

Spring Has Sprung.

Now that the weather is getting warmer lots of buyers are out looking for their next home.  There are some things you can and should do to make it easier to sell your weather you want to sell now or in the future you should do these things every spring.

Clean your gutters

Gutters do their job best when clean.  The raint season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris.  Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to mold and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls.   

Check Your Roof

Be diligent about roof maintenance.  Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear.  If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof. 

Check your Paint

The worst thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot.  Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with high quality paint product.  Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt.  Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut Overgrowth

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture.  Branches should be at least 7 feet away from  the exterior of the house.  Get rid of out-of –control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love Your Lawn

Rake up leaves, Pull up weeds, and remove foliage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants.  Pull up dead flowers and replace them with a low maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.

Keep the Air Fresh

You should be changing air filters monthly, but if not start now.  A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently saving you money on your energy bill.  Also check hose connections for leaks. 

Watch for Leaks

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, which can signal water intrusion.  Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water which can deteriorate building materials. 

Control Pests

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home.  Do what you would inside, and get rid of junk.  Seal cracks, even if you just did so in the winter.  Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. 

Peek at the Plumbing

Check for leaking faucets or sweating pipes, clogged drains and faulty water drainage systems.  On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks and make note of wetness around dishwasher, Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Clean Decks, Driveways and Fences

A pressure washer makes this job easier.  While cleaning inspect for damage and make repairs before they become big jobs.

Clean Coils

Coils on your fridge conduct the hot air from outside the unit.  If they are coated with dust they do the job less efficiently coasting you more money.

Smoke Detectors

Test and change batteries in your smoke detectors.  Also find outa if you need and were to put Carbon monoxide detectors.

 

  

Drain Your Water Heater

By doing so you will prolong its life and reduce your electric bill.

By doing all these things now before you put your home on the market you will save yourself a lot of time, money and headaches as well as making the your house look great for potential buyers. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

What to Ask For in Your New Kitchen

Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets

Whether cooking at home or shopping for

someone who does, the right kitchen

appliances can make it easier to prepare

meals. The experts at Epicurious.com

recommend a few must-have kitchen gadgets.

Professional chefs and savvy home cooks

alike need a reliable knife for everyday use.

Epicurious.com recommends the Global

G-2 8-inch stainless steel knife, which is

easy to use and ideal for precise dicing

and heavy-duty chopping.

A mandolin makes it easy to slice, crinkle-cut or waffle-cut veggies such as potatoes, carrots and cucumbers. Epicurious.com suggests the DeBuyer swing mandolin, which has a smart handle designed to protect fingers, nonskid feet, and stainless-steel blades that can be easily removed for cleaning.

A standing mixer is one of the most useful appliances home chefs can have, and Epicurious.com recommends the KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart model. It takes up little counter space and has a tilting head for easy access to the bowl. Optional attachments do everything from grind meat to juicing fruits and vegetables.

Immersion blenders, such as the Cuisinart Smart Stick, make it easy to prepare soups and sauces. Home cooks can puree soups right in the pot without the danger or hassle of transferring hot liquids, and sauces can be thickened and emulsified without removing them from the stovetop.

Slow cookers, which were popular in the 1970s, are kitchen staples for many of today’s savvy home chefs. For family-size meals, Epicurious.com recommends Cuisinart’s 6.5-quart digital slow cooker which features a programmable 24-hour timer and high, low and stay-warm settings.

By having just a few great gadgets on hand, homeowners can make sure their kitchen is equipped to help them make great at-home meals for years to come.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Keep Your Info Safe This Holiday.

 

Mall security (ONLINE VERSION)

According to a 2014 Deloitte survey, 55 percent of American consumers say they are concerned about protecting their personal data when shopping online, and 42 percent say they have similar concerns when shopping in stores. With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, consumers need to be more vigilant about protecting their personal data. PC Magazine offers the following tips to shop safely online.

   If possible, avoid using a debit card for purchases. Most debit cards don’t have the same level of fraud protection that credit cards have. If a debit card is all you have, protect your PIN by shielding the keypad with your hand or body.

   Visit only trusted sites, which are more likely to be secure. Make sure an “https” appears in the site’s URL and a lock icon is visibly displayed. Log out of all shopping accounts after completing a transaction.

   Avoid using a public Wi-Fi for your online shopping and financial transactions. Also use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each shopping site.

   Provide as little information to merchants as possible. Online retailers do not need to know your social security number or birth date to do business.

   Purchase gift cards directly from the retailer, not through a third-party source. Some scammers will auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.

   Review online bank statements frequently to confirm charges; don’t wait for your monthly statement to arrive in the mail. If you notice any questionable charges, contact your financial institution immediately. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you can enjoy a secure holiday shopping experience.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Kid-friendly Moving Tips

Planning a move is often difficult, but planning one with children is even harder.  Kids and teenagers aren’t thrilled by the prospect of moving to a new home, especially in a new location away from their friends, but these steps should help you ease the transition, say the experts at Parents.com and TLC.

Start by getting the kids involved in the house-hunting process.  Take them to see the homes you are considering buying, or show them photos or a virtual tour.  Learn as much as you can about the community and the neighborhood.

Get the kids involved in de-cluttering the home.  Go through the house, room by room, and have them identify what items they want to discard and what they want to keep.

Let kids map out their new room, and choose the colors to decorate it.  If they want, let them help arrange and decorate other rooms in the house.  For teenagers, set a budget and let them pick out colors, linens, rugs and furniture, and encourage them to shop at thrift stores for knick knacks.

Once you have moved, plan a welcome party and invite a few neighbors with kids to get acquainted.  Tour the new neighborhood to locate places of interest to children, such as a playground, school, library, and movie theater.

Moving is never easy for kids, but these ideas can help them look forward to their new home.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475