Fall Home Maintenance Check List

Check out this list of things you may want to do to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months! Fall is here and now is the time to get your house in shape for the cooler months. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it's also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the first frost sets in. Here are some home maintenance ideas that will keep your home running in peak condition all winter long. Exterior maintenance Check foundation for cracks and caulk around the areas where masonry meets siding, where pipes or wires enter the house, and around the windows and door frames to prevent heat from escaping. "Caulking and sealing openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs," says Michael Hydeck, Hydeck Design Build, Inc., Telford, PA, and National President, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). "Openings in the structure can cause water to get in and freeze, resulting in cracks and mold build up," he says. "Regardless of whether you live in a cold or warm climate, winter can bring very harsh conditions resulting in water or ice damage. A careful check of the outside structure combined with inexpensive maintenance can save you money in the long run." Install storm windows and doors and remove screens. Before storing, clean and repair screens, spray with a protective coating and place in a dry area of the basement or garage. Inspect exterior walls to see if any paint is peeling or blistering on the house or outbuildings. According to Carl Minchew, Director, Benjamin Moore Paints, "Peeling paint is a sign that the existing paint film is failing and can no longer protect the siding of the building. Left uncorrected, the siding itself will deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs in the future." Make sure the roof is in good shape. Inspect for missing and loose shingles. "Ice, rain, snow and wind combined with rapidly changing temperatures and humidity wreak havoc on roofs," says Jay Butch, Director, Contractor programs for CertainTeed Roofing. "Your roof is your first defense in protecting your home. Without it functioning properly, water damage can occur. This causes deterioration to insulation, wood and drywall, making electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems vulnerable. It's better to proactively deal with repairs in the fall than to discover a leaky roof during a snowstorm. For safety's sake, have a licensed, certified roofing professional check the condition of your roof." After leaves have fallen, clean out the gutters and downspouts, flush them with water, inspect joints, and tighten brackets if necessary. Clogged gutters are one of the major causes of ice dams. Replace old or damaged gutters with new ones that have built-in leaf guards. Examine your pool cover for damage and replace if necessary. Weather-strip your garage door. Make sure the seal between your garage door and the ground is tight to prevent drafts and keep out small animals. Inspect your driveway for cracks. Clean out and repair any damage with driveway filler, then coat with a commercial sealer. Interior maintenance "Heating and cooling amount to 47% of the energy costs in your home. Proper sealing and insulation can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10% on your total annual energy bill," says Katie Cody, spokeswoman for Lowe's. "Air leaks from windows and doors are easy to find by moving your hand around the frame. Applying weather stripping and caulk to these areas will help cut down on drafts." Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating contractor. Heating systems will use fuel more efficiently, last longer and have fewer problems if properly serviced. [Need to fix your heating system? Click to find the right home contractor now.] Get your woodstove and fireplace in working order. Gary Webster, Creative Director of Travis Industries, suggests that you examine your wood stove or fireplace insert's door gasket for a tight seal. Also clean and inspect the glass door for cracks and have the chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. "A clogged chimney poses the risk of a chimney fire, which can be ignited by burning creosote—a combination of wood tar, organic vapors and moisture buildup," says Webster. Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling. Test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and keep extra household batteries on hand. Check basement windows for drafts, loose frames or cracked panes. Vacuum internal parts of air conditioners. Remove units from windows or wrap outside box with an approved tarp or plastic air conditioner cover in order to prevent rusting of vital parts. Clean your humidifiers regularly during the heating season. Bacteria and spores can develop in a dirty water tank resulting in unclean moisture misting out into your room. Yard and garden maintenance Organize your garage. Clean and store summer garden tools. Clear leaves from lawn, reseed patchy areas, and plant spring flowering bulbs. If deer are a problem, start deer-proofing by covering plants with netting and chicken wire. Prepare your yard equipment for storage. This includes draining fuel from all gas-operated equipment such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chain saws. Check to see that all of your snow equipment is up and running before the first flurry falls. Organize your snow clearing gear. When snow arrives you'll want to have shovels, roof rakes and snow blowers where you can get to them. "Be careful where you store equipment," says Travis Poore, The Lawn Ranger, a Home Depot Community Expert. "An outbuilding may not be as well insulated as a garage incorporated into a house. Equipment that is stored out in the elements, exposed to heat and cold extremes, can develop problems when the gasoline can no longer vaporize and flow into the combustion chamber of the engine." Drain garden hoses and store them inside. Also shut off outdoor water valves in cold weather. Any water left in exterior pipes and faucets can freeze and expand breaking the pipes. Inspect and fill bird feeders. Keep in mind that once you start feeding birds you should continue on a regular basis throughout the winter months. Fertilize the lawn with a high phosphorous mix to ensure healthy grass in the spring. Porch and deck maintenance Check the supports, stairs, and railings on porches and decks. Make sure the handrails can support someone slipping on snow or ice. Clean porch and deck furniture, and look for any needed repairs. Cover and store outdoor furniture and barbecues in a protected area. Make sure all soil is emptied from pots and planters. Dirt left in clay pots will freeze and cause the pots to crack if left outside. http://homes.yahoo.com/news/bob-vila-s-fall-maintenance-checklist.html

Easy DIY Yard Projects

The thought of re-doing your backyard and patio can be overwhelming, between the cost of supplies and actually building everything it tends to stress most homeowners. If you are looking to make a change to your outdoor living space, but don't know where to begin, check out this article that has 8 simple, and easy "Do It Yourself" projects to add some fun change to your backyard!
http://homes.yahoo.com/news/8-easy-diy-yard-projects.html

Family Movie Night at Emily Douglas Park

Tomorrow is the first Friday of August which means it's Family Movie Night at Emily Douglas Park! Last month's movie night was a great success! This Friday we will be showing Toy Story 3. For those of you who have never been before it is free admission, popcorn and water is provided. We just ask that you bring a canned good to donate to Harvest Hope. The gates open at 7:30 and the movie begins at 8. Get all of your family and friends together and come out to Family Movie Night. We hope to see you there!

Tax Free Weekend

The 2012 school year is right around the corner, which means it's time to shop for school supplies. Kids are usually excited because it means new pencils, binders, and other fun school tools. However, parents tend to dread the annual back to school shopping trip because supplies are so expensive. Do not worry too much for there  is hope for all the parents out there. Tax Free Weekend is this weekend August 3-5. This means everything your child could possibly need for school such as computers, school supplies, clothes and shoes will be tax free. Take advantage of this great opportunity to save a few dollars!

Reasons to Eat Local Produce

The Shandon Newsletter published an article in the summer newsletter on the top 5 reasons to eat local produce verses produce from grocery stores that come shipped in from all over the United States. Here are the top five reasons to eat local!

1. Local foods are fresher: Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually sold within 24 hours of being harvested.
2. Local foods have less enviromental impact: The average fresh food item travels 1,500 miles to get to your supermarket's grocery aisle; buying locally produced food elimintaes the need for all that fuel-guzzling transportation.
3. Eating local means more for the local economy: When you buy direct from local farmers, your dollars stay within your community, and strengthen the local economy.
4. Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons: By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are most abundant and least expensive.
5. Local foods promote food safety: The fewer steps there are between your food's source and your table, the less chance there is of contamination.

Are you wondering where you can get that delicious, home grown  produce? Go to the 701 Whaley Market! They are open Saturday's from 8 am - 12pm. If you would like to find out more about the market visit www.stateplate.org

Summertime Events 2012

Summertime is great for kids, it gives them a break from the hustle and bustle of school, but this also means a lot of down time, which can cause kids to get bored and for parents to feel overwhelmed with trying to keep everyone happy. However, there is a solution to the summertime boredom. Sims Park located at 3500 Duncan Street has plenty of activities for kids to do. Check out this list of summer activities!

Summer Camp
Now-August
Monday-Friday
7:30 am- 6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
$45 per week for each child
Organized games/activities, field trips, reading and science enrichments in a safe and friendly enviroment.

Spray Pool
Now-August
Monday-Friday
10am-12pm/ 4pm-6pm
Free to the public

Water Balloon Toss and Relay
August 10, 2012
4:00-6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
Wear your swimsuit and get prepared to get wet!

Movie Night
September 2012
Each Friday of the month
4:00-6:00 pm
Ages 6-12
Bring your popcorn, drinks will be provided!

Have further questions? No worries, contact the park office at (803) 733-8451

Making the Move Easier on Your Kids

Let's face it, moving is stressful and having an upset child over moving does not help matters. However, there are solutions to making the transition from one home to another a little easier on you and your little ones. Check out this Parent's article on creative solutions to make moving less stressful and more exciting!
http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/buy-a-house/how-to-make-moving-easier-on-kids/

Have You Heard?

Have you heard the new local Columbia radio station yet? If not, turn on your radio to 92.1 The Palm! Do you love music, but don't have time to shuffle through all those CD's to find the perfect song? No worries, The Palm has already done it, handpicked music chosen just for you! This radio station isn't being run by out of state people, who are out of touch with Columbia's happenings, this station is locally owned by Kirk Litton, and is ran with the help of Mark Bryan from Hootie and the Blowfish! Go ahead and tune your radio to the newest and most exciting local radio station to hit the Columbia scene. 92.1 The Palm!

Curious and want to know more? Check out their website: http://www.thepalmfm.com/

What a Great Find!

Come live in this 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 3,152 sqft remarkable farm home. The 100 year home boasts: formal living and dining rooms, high ceilings, intricate moldings, arched doorways, updated baths, a wet bar,  10ft ceilings,  a family room, original hardwoods, an updated kitchen and all on the main floor. Upstairs is a large master suite with a private bath and plenty of closet space, and three large bedrooms. Outside on 4.09 acres is a long fenced lined drive way, a southern front porch, several pastures, an in-ground pool, a screened-in pool house, a multi-stall barn and tack room and an additional shed/barn. This house is the epitome of great southern country living with modern conveniences like updated electrical, drywall and a new roof.

It's hard to believe that all of this is just 30 minutes outside of Columbia. What a great find!

Columbia Foreclosures

It is scary to to think that Columbia is now in the top 10 for foreclosures in the United States. I have noticed  an increase in delinquent mortgages myself as a Short Sale Specialist.  I have noticed an increase in BPO's also ( Broker Price opinions ). This is the banks way of finding out what the home value is, very similar to an appraisal. Asset Managers and banks have been contacting me do to them more this year than before  in years past. There are several ways to avoid foreclosure and as a Short Sale Specialist I have helped many home owners avoid foreclosure and a few are back on track to purchase in the future.  Contact me if you have any questions, J.T. Livingston 803.348.6289 jtlivingston@prudentialmidlands.com. Your information is always kept confidential.

               http://realestate.yahoo.com/news/the-top-10-new-foreclosure-capitals.html

          Check out this Yahoo article to see the other top foreclosure capitals in the United States.

10 Easy Staging Tips for Curb Appeal

Are you looking to add a little extra curb appeal to your home? Check out this article on ways to make your yard look it's best!
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2012/06/04/10-easy-staging-tips-for-curb-appeal/#.T-Cf9dy9LI4.mailto

Check Out What is Coming to the Rosewood Area!

Plans turn empty warehouse to arts, agriculture, and athletics center
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -

An empty warehouse off Airport Boulevard will soon be home to what planners call the three A's: arts, agriculture, and athletics. They're calling it Soda City.

"It's a fun way to think about Columbia," Emile DeFelice said. "They call Greenville 'G-Vegas' and Charleston 'Chuck Town' and right in the middle of that is Soda City."

DeFelice says the 60,000 square foot warehouse will have a little bit of everything, food vendors, local artists working and selling, and a CrossFit gym.

"It's like a living, breathing example of eBay," DeFelice said. "It's like seeing it in person. This is the guy who grows your food, this is the guy who makes your bags, pottery, et cetera."

Soda City will fill the space left by a wine and beer distributor next to City Roots, an urban farm that fits with Soda City's hyper-local mission.

Soda City won't be the only new kid on the block. The Curtiss-Wright hangar across the street is also being renovated. A restaurant and museum will go there.

"Five years ago this wouldn't have worked, but the critical mass of artisans in Columbia, food producers and customers are here," DeFelice said. "Aren't you tired of hearing people saying why isn't our Main Street like Greenville or why has Charleston passed us by? Let's stop all that and make Columbia a great place to be. That's what we're doing with Soda City."

DeFelice hopes to see his dream become reality this fall.

Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.

Click this link to see the video:

http://www.wistv.com/story/18012540/plans-turn-empty-warehouse-to-arts-agriculture-and-athletics-center

"Soda City" is an exciting new development ,bringing the arts, agriculture and atheletics to the Greater Columbia area! Now would be an excellent time to invest in Rosewood Real Estate before "Soda City" gets  here! Check out these current listings we have in Rosewood:

939 Howard Street

Columbia, SC 29205

Don't let the view from the front fool you, this home is larger than you think! This 3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1,797sqft home that was renovated in 2009, boasts: an open floor plan with hardwoods throughout; large formal living & dining rooms; an eat-in galley kitchen with espresso colored cabinets, black granite and is tied together with the stainless appliances; a spacious family room with a gas fireplace; a huge master suite with a walk-in closet, and a private bath. Don't miss the walk-in storage under the home or the heated 350sqft bonus room downstairs, with a half bath and a walk-in closet. Outside is a deck that looks over your well manicured, private back yard with two patio areas. This is a great home at a great price, come make it yours!

3504 Prentice Avenue

Columbia, SC 29205

What an adorable home. This 2 bed, 1 bath, 952 sqft home is the perfect size for you. This home boasts: hardwoods throughout; a large living room; a spacious eat-in kitchen with new floors, cabinets, and updated appliances; two large bedrooms with walk-in closets; a large shared bath; and a large family room / laundry room. Outside you will find a large entertaining deck that overlooks your large fenced in back yard. This home has newer windows, vinyl sided and a one year old HVAC. This home has everything you need. Come make it yours before someone else does.

Lawn Care

            Spring is in the air and that means that homebuyers are going to be paying just as much attention to the exterior of a home than the interior. Those shopping for a home want to envision their kids playing in the yard, their friends coming over for barbeques and the lazy Sunday afternoon laying on the lawn.

            While people are inclined to bring in flowers, paint the deck and work on the curb appeal, often the lawn itself is neglected. The positives of a well-maintained grass yard are many and it’s important to get your grass in tip-top shape before showing your home.

            When it comes to growing grass, consistent care is key and failure to invest in long-term turf care can open the window to any number of problems in your lawn.

            It’s also important to give your grass the fertilizing lawn care and control treatments it needs based on the season. Lawn care for growing grass as we enter May has different needs than what is expected in late summer and fall.

            The way you mow your lawn can either make growing grass easier or harder. In the spring, you need to keep the grass high. You never want to remove more than one third of the total blade height when mowing, or you could chop off the food-producing parts of the grass blade and end up with a brown lawn instead of a green one.

            You should also leave grass clippings on the lawn to help recycle important lawn fertilizing nutrients.

            Lawn care experts share that growing green plants is the best thing you can do to clean the air and grass is considered to be better than most other plants or trees at removing carbon and other impurities from the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, grass takes carbon from the air and stores it in the ground.

            “A grass lawn enriches the soil by providing a home for beneficial micro-organisms and insects that eat nature’s leftovers—decomposing grass clippings, plant leaves and other vegetation—and recycle nutrients back into the soil,” said Michael McDermott, a lawn care expert in Larchmont, N.Y. “It also pollinates plants and serves as food for other animals, making grass an important part of nature’s cycle.”

            An important component of growing grass is to properly water it, and it is better to water deeply (down to a depth of 6 inches) and less frequently, than lightly and more often. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water. Make sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn.

            Grass also acts like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days. Those are selling points that can help any home sale.

Last Friday, our Movie Night at the Park lasted only about 20 minutes before a thunderstorm sent everyone sprinting for their cars. However, we will be having our second Movie Night of the summer tomorrow night, and the weather looks like it will be on our side this time!

Tomorrow's Movie Night will be at the new park in Irmo. We will be showing The Incredibles again, and will have plenty of popcorn to go around. The park opens at 7:30 PM, and we will start the movie at 8 PM.

 If you can't make it tomorrow, then mark your calendars for the rest of the summer. The first friday if every month through October, we will be showing a family friendly movie at Emily Douglas Park in Shandon. On the second friday of each month through October, we will show the same movie at the new park in Irmo.

Don't forget to bring a canned good to donate to Harvest Hope. We can't wait to see you and your family there tomorrow night in Irmo!

The Backyard Oasis

            Today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its interior. Savvy agents understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors.          

            The following tips will help ensure that your backyard is as distinctive at your home itself. 

·         Make your Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture. The area needn’t be elaborate; just two chairs pulled close together with a table between can make even the most basic concrete patio special. Just the idea that an outdoor eating option is possible makes a property more inviting. Adding accessories like a small table, an inexpensive outdoor rug or a few pots filled with flowers will make the area even more attractive.

·         Remember the Kids: If you have an old tree house, fix it up and paint it bright colors or add sporty designs that will make other kids fall in love with it. Just make sure the tree house is safe. Add a tire swing to a tree and keep an orderly basket of balls, flying disks and a jump rope so kids dragged along on the showing can play in the yard. Swing sets that are old and unsightly should be removed or refurbished to look new.

·         Fire is Hot: There’s nothing like sitting around a fire and enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, which explains the growing popularity of fire pits and outdoor hearths. Few home improvements create the “wow” factor that a backyard fireplace will, and many homeowners are adding a fireplace to their outdoor landscape to recreate all the appeal of their home’s interior outside in the backyard.

·         Simple Fixes: You needn’t go overboard with the changes in your yard. Sometimes, the easiest fixes will create a look that people will remember. Do a thorough inspection and replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, stain and sealant if the finish requires it. You should also weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color.

            Creating a backyard sanctuary is one of the smartest things you can do to make your home stand out, so make your outdoor space a destination to remember.
 

Why Hasn't Someone Sued Zillow, Yet?

So, I was working on Zillow tonight "claiming my listings". Yeah, people don't know all of the little detail stuff we have to do. We have to go into most sites and make sure they are putting our contact information next to our listings. If not "Jane Smith" can pop up next to it and answer any questions the perspective buyer may have. I am not sure how that is fair, but it is. Oh, and did I tell you it was a big pain in the butt?
Anyways, that is not why they need to be sued. As I was "claiming" them, I was noticing the websites "Zestimate". You know the price where Zillow says what it thinks your home is worth. Every single listing was "Zestimated" under what we have them priced at. Now we understand that actual market value is based on what a buyer is willing to pay. However, we pride ourselves on being good at it. Heck we had a 94.57% list to sell percentage in 2011 based on 54 closed listings. To put it in perspective, the entire MLS has a list to sell percentage of like 82%.
All that aside, as a Seller, I would be angry that some website based out of who knows where, is "Zestimating" my home under my listing price. It's hard enough to sell a house in this market, let alone close to what you are asking, without a website putting their two cents in there and telling a perspective buyer that my home is over priced. And believe me Buyers look. To get a home priced correctly there is a lot of science, research, skill, knowledge and a little bit of luck that goes into it.  I know Zillow will say, "oh, its based off of tax records, comparable sales, etc". But to get a true value of a home you need a local professional, that knows the area, neighborhoods, streets and homes. Often times when we go to list a home, we know the comps personally and have been in them, so we can speak intelligently! I don't see how some pimpled faced computer nerd in California can write a program that will ever replace Us.