Fall Fixes NOT to Nix – Part 4

Oct 29, 2013 6:13 pm
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Pest Control: Defense or Offense?

mouse

During cooler months, it is common for wildlife to want to move in to a home for warmth and shelter. Teams of mice and rats, squirrels and other animals can do damage to insulation and wiring, create unclean living situations, contaminate food, and keep people up at night with scratching and scampering. Carefully inspect possible sources of entry in the fall months and seal up any places where pests might gain access to the home.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has vast information about preventing and resolving rodent infestations. They recommend looking for any evidence of uninvited guests and possible access from inside the home in the following locations:

  • Inside, under, and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves
  • Inside closets near the floor corners
  • Around the fireplace
  • Around doors
  • Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines
  • Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces
  • Around floor vents and dryer vents
  • Inside the attic
  • In the basement or crawl space
  • In the basement and laundry room floor drains
  • Between the floor and wall juncture

The CDC also recommends checking the following areas outside the home:

  • In the roof among the rafters, gables, and eaves
  • Around windows
  • Around doors
  • Around the foundation
  • Attic vents and crawl space vents
  • Under doors
  • Around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines

Defend the home by filling holes with steel wool, held in place with caulk. Squirrels and raccoons require larger holes and do even more damage, so cover larger holes with lath screen, metal, cement or hardware cloth to stop entry into the building.

Assess the perimeters of buildings, inside and out, sweeping and raking debris away from walls. Remove woodpiles and leaves from around buildings. These areas are prime habitat for rodents and other pests, including termites and carpenter ants. In areas where problems persist, take the offense. Trapping or baiting with poison may be advised. Larger infestations may require the attention of trained professionals for control and cleanup.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Even with New Construction, You Need A Buyer’s Agent

Oct 25, 2013 1:49 pm
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Close up of a welcome mat in front of an inviting houseWith the accessibility of today’s housing via the internet, many home shoppers may feel that they don’t need a buyer’s agent to help them find their dream property.   While you can do a lot of the legwork yourself, in the end, you won’t be saving either money or time.

Plain and simple, even though the buyer’s agent works for you and not the seller, the seller is the one who will wind up paying for your agent upon closing.  Therefore, the question you should be asking yourself is, “Why would I pass on a service that is in essence…FREE?”

In today’s market, most new homes are being built by national builders who employ salaried agents to sell their properties.  Generally, the first thing a seller’s agent will want to know about you is whether or not you have representation because if you don’t, the commission that they would normally have to split with your agent will go directly into their pocket.

With this, a selling agent is obviously interested in getting you to pay top-dollar for their property; however, a buyer’s agent will help counteract this by taking note of other similar sales in the area and making sure you aren’t paying too much.  In essence, they are there to buffer you and negotiate on your behalf so that by the time you close, your house has not only been properly inspected, but has also been placed in perfect condition.

Similarly, when it comes to financing, a good agent will help you walk through the process of finding a solid mortgage company who can give you options which fit your lifestyle.  While the agent employed by the builder may also come ready with financing through a partnered company, it’s important to remember that they may not be looking to help you find the best solutions.

In short, when entering into a real estate transaction, it’s important to have someone in your corner who will make sure that you are taken care of throughout the entire process.   The Dinsmore Team can help you find the right mortgage lender, closing attorney and help you find your perfect home.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Fall Fixes NOT to Nix – Part 3

Oct 18, 2013 3:36 pm
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Rain, Snow and Going with the Flow

Regardless of temperature, water is one of the most damaging influences in a home. It can impact foundations, floors and walls, and introduce mold into the structure. Many areas experience increased precipitation in the fall and winter months which can open the door to unnecessary problems if preventative steps have not been taken.

Visually inspect the roof for signs of damaged shingles and repair them prior to a leak. Check and clean skylights, inspecting the flashing and clearing leaves and debris. When cleaning gutters, remember that it is also important to see that water is directed efficiently away from the foundation, so be sure to install drainpipe extensions or other solutions that move water away from the foundation. And, not all water may be coming from the roof. Survey the area around the foundation for signs of standing water or run-off that brings water close to the house, driveway or walkways. In some cases changing the flow of water that comes onto a property might include installing a curtain drain or other water management plan.

Frozen-PipeProtecting water pipes within the home is of key importance. If pipes freeze they may crack and leak, causing extensive damage throughout the home. Ensure that hose bibs are covered and that pipes in cooler areas of the home are protected with insulation or heat tape. In climates that are prone to winter storms or hurricanes, consider storm windows or shutters. If the home is in a low-lying area and has a basement, consider keeping a sump pump on hand in the event of a flooded basement.

Take a good look at the paved areas. Repairing small cracks and holes in driveways and walkways in the fall will ensure that freezing water will not penetrate the asphalt or concrete and cause further damage.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Featured Neighborhood: Notting Hill

Oct 14, 2013 5:56 pm
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Notting Hill is a well-established, close-knit community located in West Forsyth County, just off Post Road between Highway 9 and Highway 20, featuring over 100 estate homes.

Minutes from GA 400, Notting Hill is also close to great shopping and dining destinations such as The Collection, North Georgia Outlet Mall and North Point Mall.

notting hill 1Driving through the neighborhood, you will be impressed by the exquisite taste and style of the homes.   This is no cookie-cutter neighborhood – you will find unique architecture throughout.   Depending upon home design, standard features include 3 car carriage garages, 3 sides brick, granite countertops and backsplashes, crown molding, chair rails, maple cabinets, 9-foot ceilings and much more.

In addition to the aesthetics, each home also meets platinum performance standards for the Environments for Living Program.  This program will realize homeowners annual savings of up to 45% on their energy use.

Notting Hill is also a swim/tennis community, notting hill2with two lighted tennis courts, a large pool with a cabana and a tot lot.

With prices ranging from the $200’s to the $500’s, this community offers something for everyone.

Exceptional schools, fabulous amenities, above-average sense of community, charming homes, price, and location make this community the perfect place to raise your family.

Please call me if you are interested in viewing this extraordinary community.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

RE/MAX Tops 2013 Franchise Times 200 Rankings for Real Estate

Oct 10, 2013 8:54 pm
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You’ve done it again! For the fifthST_No1logo consecutive year, RE/MAX is the highest-ranked real estate franchise – and 14th overall – in the 2013 Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Systems report.

The full report is available as a download at www.franchisetimes.com.

Here are the real estate results as published in the October edition of Franchise Times magazine. The
annual rankings are based primarily on worldwide sales volume.

RE/MAX Affiliates may share this article, provided they do not charge for it and this notice is included. All other rights reserved.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Fall Fixes NOT to Nix – Part 2

Oct 8, 2013 1:03 pm
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Conserving Energy

Fixing anything to do with climate control is like getting first pick of the best Fall Fix 2players – it’s money in the bank. Many homeowners attend to issues around heating as a means of saving money on energy bills – and rightfully so. In many areas, heat is typically one of the largest winter expenses. The trick is to minimize drafts and to utilize the heat as effectively as possible. Begin by checking attic insulation levels and fill gaps with insulation appropriate for your climate.

Next, windows and doors with cracked or broken glass or that are poorly sealed should be fixed. Additionally, if the seals at the bottom of exterior doors are not tight, consider replacing thresholds and/or door bottoms. Weather stripping is inexpensive and easy to install along the top and sides of doors. Interior doors may benefit from “draft dodgers” that stop air from cooler rooms from coming under the door, especially consider doors to basements and garages.

Get that furnace or heat pump serviced, clean or change any filters, and ensure that all thermostats are in working order. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to optimize your energy consumption. Additionally, heating hot water and keeping it warm is a big energy draw. Ensure that the hot water heater is working well and that it is insulated if it is located in a cold location.

Woodstoves and chimneys should be clean and ready for use – employ a chimney sweep to check and clean them. Creosote build-up or debris from animals can start a fire in the chimney or stovepipe, which could ignite the roof.

Drying clothes in a dryer also consumes a high level of energy. In cool and damp climates dryer vents tend to collect lint and may become clogged, making these machines much less efficient. Cleaning dryers thoroughly with a lint brush can also prevent fires from starting.

Marie Dinsmore, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist

The Dinsmore Real Estate Team  |  www.dinsmoreteam.com

Marie@DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789