Author Archives: Marie Dinsmore

Watch those pipes when the weather gets cold

Flickr: Jimmy_Joe

So you’re settling in for a nice evening at home. Snow is in the forecast. Hot cocoa is in your hand. But wait… Are you prepared for deep freezes? Are the pipes in your home? Now is the time of year to not only perform checks but get prepared to make last-minute adjustments when the mercury plunges. Here are some tips to help you out from Allstate:

  • Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
  • Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time.
  • Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
  • Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
  • Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.

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Source: How Can I Prepare for a Frozen Pipe Disaster (Allstate)

Make sure your home is not too dated

We’ve all been there, especially during the holiday season… That dated house. Sure, it has it’s charm. I remember going to my relatives’ homes and enjoying those big, cozy sofas and admiring the styles of yesteryear.

Great for the holidays.

Bad for selling your house.

If you’re sitting around the fire this holiday season and considering selling your home in the new year, keep in mind that buyers notice lots of things. Make sure you plan to stage your home effectively and, if you need help, give me a call!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tips to get the house ready for Halloween

If you’ve already begun prepping for those little Halloween ghosts and goblins, it’s important to remember that making things as safe as possible is just as important as buying the right candy. Aside from the fact that you certainly don’t want to see anyone get hurt, much like making sure your walkways stay ice-free during the winter, it’s wise to protect yourself should a mishap occur.

Therefore, consider the following tips for making sure your trick-or-treat experience runs smoothly.

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Sure you want that in a house, but do you need it?

We’ve all watched enough “House Hunters” to know there are many opinions on what a new home should include. Remember, your agent is there to help you tease out a want vs. a need but it helps to have an idea going to that first meeting.

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