Fall is here and so are the falling leaves, meaning it is once again time to clean the gutters on your house and make sure they can handle the coming winter weather. Early fall is a good time to remove leaves that can block water and create build-ups of ice and ice dams in the gutter. This extra weight can cause the gutters to pull away from the fascia or even fall off the house which can amount to thousands of dollars in damage. Here are some easy steps to follow to clean the gutters yourself:
- Rent a sturdy ladder at a local rental place for around $40 a day.
- Enlist the help of a neighbor or friend to help stabilize the ladder and make sure it is level. Also don’t overreach and stay away from power lines, windows and trees.
- If you have gutter guards, check them for clogs or damage. If the water can’t get into the gutters past the guards, it will render them useless as the water will flow right over the top.
- Remove the guards carefully to remove leaves and debris from underneath and then reinstall them properly.
- Use a hose to run water over the guards to ensure they are working properly.
- Check the screens on the top of your downspouts to make sure they are clear and where they belong.
- Clear heavily clogged downspouts with a hose.
- Replace damaged downspout and gutter screens.
- Inspect the gutter fasteners to make sure they are secured properly and if not use a hammer or screwdriver to secure them.
- Check to ensure the spikes that hold the aluminum to the fascia are secure and drive them back in if they are loose. You may need to replace them with longer spikes. If the gutters are loose then water will overflow them at low areas.
Always remember safety first. Ask for help and use a good quality ladder with a stabilizer which can be purchased at any home improvement store for around $30. The top two causes of injury from falls while cleaning gutters are improper ladder use and overreaching. Be safe, clean your gutters and save yourself damage to your house from leaf buildup. Be sure to repeat this process in the spring as well.
Categories: Property Upkeep
People around the country are trying to stop the bleeding in the housing market in whatever way possible. Foreclosure rates are high all over the nation. For a look at these rates take a look at the Economy Tracker on CNN.com. The national average is 0.28% as of August 2009. One solution that many home owners have turned to is renting their property out instead of selling it at a deflated rate or letting it sit on the market for months or even years. Many homeowners would rather have renters than to leave their house vacant indefinitely.
The rental demand is strong right now since many people cannot afford to buy a house or get a mortgage loan in the current market. Renting out property is a particularly appealing option for home owners with multiple properties. This can be a way to keep paying the mortgage to avoid foreclosure on a house that won’t sell right now. Most homeowners using this option are not attempting to turn a profit, but rather keep paying the bills until the property sells. Some money coming in is better than no money at all.
If you are planning on renting out your property, here are some of the things you should do:
- make sure you have liability coverage
- do background checks of potential renters
- use a property management company
A property management company can make sure your property stays well-maintained for potential buyers and screen prospective tenants. For a listing of property management companies in your area see All Property Management‘s website.
Renting out your property may be a way to avoid foreclosure and wait out the current market while still paying your mortgage.
Categories: property management
According the National Association of Realtors, the answer is yes. The market may finally be turning after the awful 2008 statistics. In December of 2008 housing prices were down 15.3% from the previous December based on numbers collected by the National Association of Realtors. For the past four months existing-home sales have increased 7.2%. This is the first time the market has steadily increased in the past five years. This is due in part to the decreased median home prices. The average median home cost $178,400 this past July which is down 15.1% from July 2008. First time buyers are encouraged by the first-time home buyer tax credit of $8,000 that does not have to be repaid as well as the low fixed-rate mortgage loans being offered. For up-to-date statistics on home buying trends visit the National Association of Realtors website.
Realtors in many parts of the country agree with these statistics stating that they are busier than ever selling and buying homes. Terry Hudson of Weichert Realtors in Maryland says that the market has turned and things are only going to get better from here. Most also agree that real estate deals take longer and we are not out of the woods yet. Mortgage loans are on the rise, but there is still a staggering 50% default rate on these loans.
If you can afford to buy in the current market, you are encouraged to do so if you can commit to staying in the property for at least five years. Some analysts are predicting that the market will continue to rise but will not be totally back on track until at least 2012. If you try to re-sell your property within the five year mark you could risk a 10% loss of value, whereas the common idea held in real estate circles is that your house will continue to appreciate given time.
Are we on the upswing? Have we seen the worst of the recession in the real estate market for the United States? In truth only time will tell.
Categories: Real Estate Trends
Fall tours of the garden and grounds will run Saturday, October 17th from 10am until 4pm and again Sunday, October 18th from 10am until 3pm. Tickets are required for everyone who wishes to tour and are available for free from the National Park Service beginning at 8am on the day of the tour at the Ellipse Visitor Pavillion on 15th and E Streets. The tour will encompass the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Children’s Garden, the Rose Garden and the South Lawn of the White House going withing viewing distance of the new Kitchen Garden. The White House Residence Tours will be suspended during the garden tours. For more information on the tour visit: 
