What Color is your Garden? Guest blog entry by Susie Thompson (Landscape Designer)


What Color is Your Garden? If you said green, yes, of course, it is after all a garden. But besides green—is there a color that resonates through your garden and landscape, a color that makes a statement, a color that is repeated throughout and carries your eye all the way around and across the garden? Color is the element that can define the mood of a garden. White and pastels are quiet, reds and oranges are energetic hot colors, blues and purples are rich satisfying colors that suggest sky and water.

So what color should a garden be? Look at a color wheel and start with the color of the house; it provides a backdrop for the entire landscape. Colors directly across the color color wheelwheel provide a complementary color scheme—one warm and one cool color which provides maximum contrast. Just decide which one is the dominant color and then use only a little of the second color; lots of purple with a little yellow is my favorite. An analogous color scheme uses one color plus the two colors that are immediately adjacent to it. You’ll end up with a consistently warm or cool color scheme that provides an elegant look with minimal contrast. A triad color scheme uses three colors—one main color and the two colors on each side of its complement. Triad is easy and comfortable on the eye; it provides a softer contrast than a complementary scheme but more contrast that an analogous scheme. There are other color schemes and variations thereof, but I find the three mentioned are tried and true and reasonably easy to work with.

A few other considerations about color will go a long way in making a garden successful. From what distance will the color be viewed? Light and pastel colors fade and disappear, and darker, rich colors advance and seem closer. So if you site some pastel pink flowers along a white fence in the back of the garden I promise they’ll fade and disappear, and you’ll barely be able to find them—a waste of flowers and beauty! Use a deeper pink, even if you’re working with a pastel color scheme, and the flowers will march forward visually and be seen and enjoyed.

–And my favorite color consideration is foliage versus flowers. Two things are happening here. The obvious is permanence. Most flowers last only a few weeks at best while foliage obviously offers year round presence. The other consideration is mass. A mass of foliage delivers more color than a few delicate flowers. So for me the foliage versus flower choice is easy on every level—foliage simply provides more visual impact and requires less maintenance than flowers.

If I persuaded you to use more foliage in your garden here’s a few of my favorites that deliver color: Nandina domestica, red leaf Acer palmatums, Berberis, Spiraea, and conifers.

Susie Thompson
Susie Landscape Designs
Phone: 206.724.5020
Email susie@susielandscapedesigns.com
susie

Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team – First Quarter Newsletter 2013


As we are well into 2013, we are thankful for all of our past clients, current clients and the opportunities we have living in this wonderful area.  Now to the market update…

State of the Market and Home Values:

After years of grave losses, home values finally started to increase in the latter part of 2012 (March/April 2012 was the bottom).  Gains could be seen in most of the Greater Seattle area. If you are curious about the value of your home, feel free to contact us. We are happy to prepare a free market analysis for you.  This last year also saw the return of multiple offers on some homes, especially homes that did not fall into the category of short sales or fixers. Buyers are having to compete for homes due to low inventory and increased buyer confidence.  Cash investors entered the market in a big way, as well as many first time buyers who see the value in homeownership and real estate. The low inventory of homes for sale can be largely attributed  to the large number of “underwater” homeowners who are discouraged to sell because they owe more on their mortgage than their house is worth.  Predicting real estate values for the future is difficult but there appears to be a consensus among industry professionals that home prices will continue to rise. If prices continue to go up, more current home owners who have held off selling due to negative equity might list their home and offer more inventory and choices to home buyers.

We are optimistic that the housing market recovery will continue moderately in 2013.

Tips for Selling in 2013:

Be realistic – Yes, there has been a lot of news of recovery, rising prices and multiple offers. It’s all true but the reality is that values are still off considerably from what they used to be. If you price your home right from day one, you will get fair market value. We can help you price your home competitively so you are not giving anything away and get what the market dictates based on comparable sales and current market trends. We will market your property to make sure it gets the attention it needs to sell but proper marketing will never overcome an inflated price.

Be prepared – You might want to do a preinspection. This gives you an opportunity to find out what issues will likely come up when a buyer has your home inspected. You can also get bids and shop around for contractors at your leisure rather than under time constraints when under contract.  This allows you to address any issues before going on the market.

Declutter,  dress up and stow away – Simple home improvements and decluttering can make your home shine and attract the right attention.  Repainting and a thorough cleaning, inside and out (roof, gutter, windows, carpets, floors, etc. ) will help make the marketing materials shine and attract traffic. It will also make a lasting impression on touring buyers.  Replace any broken light bulbs and consider using higher wattage light bulbs, especially in the winter months to make your home look brighter.  Big remodels generally do not pay back, especially if the buyer does not share your taste of finishes. Defects such as drippy faucets, leaks, etc. should most definitely be addressed.  Unattended defects might deter potential buyers or may make them more likely to haggle on price.  Start packing any items you do not need on a daily basis and declutter.  Open and organized spaces make your home look bigger and more appealing.  Lock up or stow away any valuables and medications.

Timing  – The best time to sell is when consumer confidence is on the upswing, interest rates are low, unemployment is decreasing and there are more buyers in your local market than there are sellers .  Spring is usually a favored time for sellers to put their house on the market because of longer daylight hours and healthier looking yards, as well as a convenient time for families with school aged children. However, with inventory at an all time low right now and currently increasing buyer confidence, sellers have an edge with buyers competing for a few good homes.  It is a good time to sell now.

Tips for Buying in 2013:

Jump – If you have been wanting to buy but you have sat on the sidelines because you have been afraid to commit, wait no more. The bottom of the market has passed (which was March/April 2012). Prices and interest rates are still low which makes this a good time to buy.

Be prepared – Decide if homeownership is right for you and take the time to run the numbers. Real estate is a long term investment and if you think you will live in your home less than five years, you should think twice about buying. Buying and selling have associated costs. We can run the numbers for you. If you have decided that buying is for you, get preapproved for a loan before you start the house hunt. Have your mortgage broker run your credit and then fix any blips or inaccuracies to make sure your credit score reflects your true rating. Better scores qualify you for better rates and better rates mean lower payments. Your income, credit and down payment amount will also determine the types of loan programs you are eligible for.  You should understand what your options and payments will be before you commit. Ask us for a referral to a qualified mortgage broker.  Also, sellers will not entertain offer from buyers who cannot show that they actually have the funds in hand or qualify for financing.

Carefully consider the neighborhood – there are a number of online resources that let you check crime statistics and the national sex offender list. Check out the commute and public transportation options for different areas and research schools. Visit the neighborhoods at different hours of the day and ask residents in the area what they like and dislike about their neighborhood.

Ask lots of questions and actively engage in the process  – Most sellers will put on the lipstick when they put their house on the market. They clean and paint the house, use airfreshners, cover things up with throw rugs, etc. – you get the picture. When you are looking at homes, take the time to look at details, ask to see the seller disclosure form that will show defects the seller is aware of and ask questions if you see things that seem out of place. No house is perfect but you want to know what you are getting yourself into. Turn on the stove, run the faucets, look in the closets, be aware of stains and blotches and so on. Of course, you should hire a licensed home inspector once you have decided to buy a specific home but you can weed out a lot of homes that are not in acceptable selling condition by paying attention yourself.

Attend our free homebuyer seminar – Whether you’re a first time homebuyer or a move up buyer, you will learn valuable information at these free home buyer seminars. The class will cover the State of the Market, Important Steps of the Homebuying Process, Pros and Cons of Buying vs. Renting, and Financing Options. There will also be time for questions in the end to make sure individual interests and questions are answered.  Call or email Kerstin at 206.276.5827 / info@propertyinseattle.com .

New Listings

We have a new listing in Edmonds (Yost Park) neighborhood for $449,950.  It is 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2-story with basement.  It has beautiful territorial views, a wine cellar, updated fixtures, spacious at about 2600 SQF and it is on a cul-de-sac, just minutes from downtown Edmonds.  Our first open house will be on Saturday, March 2nd, from 1-4pm and Sunday, March 3rd from 1-4pm.  Please let us know if you want more information.

Kerstin Brooks & Krisanne Heinze
Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team
Skyline Properties, Inc.
Email: info@propertyinseattle.com
Web: www.propertyinseattle.com

 

Short Sale 101


A short sale is a real estate transaction in which the sales price is insufficient to pay the debt(s) encumbering the property, along with the costs of sale, and the seller is unable to pay the shortage.

A short sale is often used to avoid foreclosure to reduce the effect on credit scores. This allows one to buy a home again in the future much sooner than if one went through foreclosure. It is important to know that short sales, just like foreclosure, will result in a negative credit report against you. A foreclosure usually is more detrimental to your credit rating than a short sale, however, if you have several missed payments, when doing a short sale, your credit can be just as negatively affected.

Fair Isaac released a report that says the average points lost on a FICO score are as follows:

• 30 days late: 40 to 110 points
• 90 days late: 70 to 135 points
• Foreclosure, short sale or deed-in-lieu: 85 to 160
• Bankruptcy: 130 to 240

In a successful short sale, the lien holders agree to release your lien (the mortgage, home equity line of credit, etc.) on the real estate and accept less than the amount owed on the debt. Any unpaid balance owed to the creditors is known as a deficiency.

Even if a lien holder agrees to a short sale agreement, this does not mean they necessarily release you from your obligations to repay any deficiencies of the loans, unless specifically agreed to.  Creditors generally require you to prove that you have an economic or financial hardship preventing you from being able to pay the deficiency.

There are many other types of liens and other obligations that may be secured by real estate besides your mortgage loans, such as contractor liens, IRS tax liens, DSHS liens for unpaid child support, HOA assessments or other obligations. The type of debts and type of property will determine what remedies a lender may have if you fail to make the required payments. For a short sale to be successful, all lien holders will need to approve individual applications for a short sale, should they be asked to take less than what is owed.

A short sale in which the debt is forgiven is considered a “relief of debt” and the forgiven debt may be treated as income for tax purposes. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 created a limited exemption to allow homeowners to pay no taxes on debt forgiveness; however, the exemption only cancelled debt used to buy, build or improve a principal residence or refinance debt incurred for those purposes qualifies for this tax exemption. For more information on the tax consequences of debt relief, seek professional tax advice and go to www.irs.gov and conduct a search regarding the Tax Relief Act.

The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative program (HAFA) was designed to give homeowners alternatives to a foreclosure, which include incentives for completing a short sale. If your home sale can close as a HAFA transaction, you will emerge owing no deficiency. However, it can be very difficult to qualify as a HAFA transaction because all lienholders must agree and often a 2nd or 3rd lien holder won’t agree. For more information on the options available, visit the HAFA program website.

Most large creditors have special loss mitigation departments that evaluate borrowers’ applications for short sale approval. Often creditors use pre-determined criteria for approving the borrowers and the terms of the sale of the properties. Part of this process typically includes the creditor(s) determining the current market value of the real estate by obtaining an independent evaluation of the property from an appraisal or BPO (broker price opinion). One of the most important aspects for the borrower in this process is putting together a proper real estate short sale package. The package should be well organized along with a hardship letter telling the creditor why a short sale is needed. Most agents now work together with real estate attorneys and can help you with this process.

There are many factors you should take into account when considering a short sale on your property: the lender’s policies regarding forgiveness of debt, the tax consequences, your overall financial strength, the lender’s willingness for processing a short sale request, and the number of other recorded liens on the property. It is possible for any one lien holder to prevent a short sale by refusing to agree to negotiate a reduction in their payoff to release their lien. If a Creditor has mortgage insurance on their loan, the insurer will likely also become a third party to these negotiations as the insurance policy may be asked to pay out a claim to offset the Creditor’s loss.

Short sales can have a high risk of failure from inability to obtain agreement from all parties or they might not be approved in time to prevent a scheduled foreclosure date. 

Although the time to process short sales has decreased, it can still take several months to a year for the process to be completed.

A short sale is a very complex transaction that involves numerous issues as well as legal and financial risks. We advise our clients to seek the advice of an attorney and tax professional before proceeding with a short sale, however we are happy to answer any preliminary questions you may have and offer free seller and buyer consultations to review your circumstances.

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Team
Skyline Properties, Inc.
Cell: 206.276.5827
www.propertyinseattle.com

Jumbo Mortgage Loans – Don’t Let the Downpayment Fool You!


This is a guest blog entry by Jeff McGinnis:

Jumbo mortgage loans are back, but don’t let the down payment requirement fool you. They still have reserve requirements and other fun surprises that can create issues. Learn what they are and how to avoid them.

As a professional mortgage banker since 1997 in the Seattle and Bellevue, WA area, I’ve had the unique experience of watching jumbo mortgage loans go through waves of popularity in the last 5-7 years. To say the least over the last 3 years jumbo mortgage loans have been the most difficult loans to find and put together compared to their FHA, VA, and conventional mortgage counterparts.

Defining a Jumbo Loan

The good news is they are back, they are reasonably priced, and the interest rates are good. Before I review the issues the reader needs to be aware of, let’s define a true jumbo mortgage. In the Seattle & Bellevue MSA, conventional & FHA mortgages will lend up to a loan amount of $506,000. There is a conforming jumbo loan that has a loan amount range of $417,001 – $506,000. So for this article’s purpose, I am referring to loan amounts of greater than $506,000.

Down Payments

In general jumbo loans require a 20% or more down payment. There are some jumbo programs that allow for as little as 10% down, but don’t let the down payment requirement fool you. Many times there is an additional requirement on jumbo loans called “reserve requirements”. This means that after closing, a borrower needs to have a certain number of payments in the bank after the down payment and closing costs are accounted for.

Reserve Requirements

The reserve requirement is defined as how much money is left over in the borrower’s bank account after closing. The amount of money needed for the requirement can range from 6-12 months of total monthly payments for the new mortgage. The requirements can increase depending if the borrower owns additional properties. For example: The borrower may have investment properties or second homes which would increase the amount of reserve requirement. The reserve requirements may increase even further if any of the properties are underwater.

Sometimes the bank or investor of the loan will require the reserves come from specific types of accounts. It’s important to know which accounts are eligible for the reserve requirements. Will the investor accept a 401k or other retirement accounts or will they require the funds to be in a liquid account like a checking or savings account? Sound confusing? It is. But with a little preparation and planning a borrower can head off these types of issues far in advance of making an offer on a property.

Jeff McGinnis
MLO – 279369 CL-142878
Direct: 206-283-5626 (LOAN)
Fax: 425-818-7601 Wallick & Volk Mortgage Bank – Home of the 21 Day Purchase Xpress
600 108th Ave NE, Suite 110
Bellevue, WA 98004
http://www.mcginnismortgage.com

What do a great agent and massage therapist have in common?


 

Buying a home is one of the most exciting things you can do. I remember when I bought my first condo – I was thrilled. I was excited about making the leap from renter to homeowner. Home buying is a great financial commitment and an intensely emotional experience.  When your emotions are involved in a purchase, there’s a possibility that those emotions can get out of hand and stress can taint the experience.

Experienced Buyer’s Agent with Great Communication Skills

 PLUS

 Fabulous Massage Therapist

 EQUALS

 Stress-free Home Buying

Selecting the right home for you and your family should be fun. Picking the right agent to work with and finding a way for you to stay grounded during the process are key ingredients.

Finding a home to buy is actually pretty easy with all the information so readily available online today. However, getting that home under contract, managing the inspection, jumping the hurdles of title and settlement are the “scary” parts where your agent really “earns” his/her fee.  A good and caring agent will be there to educate you and hold your hand step by step.  Good communication between you and your agent will make the process easier and less stressful for you.

Also, having some other way to ground yourself when you start to feel overwhelmed or conflicted is very important. Massage is great for lowering tension and anxiety. It also helps with staying alert, being more aware and concentrating – all important when committing to a big investment like a home. When you are calm and your mind is at peace you are more likely to make sound decisions

 For a free, no-obligation home-buyer consultation, contact Kerstin G. Brooks of the Brooks & Heinze Team at 206.276.5827 or find the team online at www.propertyinseattle.com .

 To schedule an appointment at Shift Massage, contact Kathy J. Rose at 206.399.8820 or find her online at http://www.shiftmassage.com .

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Real Estate
Cell: 206.276.5827
Web: www.propertyinseattle.com

HUD Pre-Foreclosure Sales Program – Great Program for those who Qualify


The HUD Pre-Foreclosure Sales Program was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help homeowners with an FHA loan (a loan insured against default by the Federal Housing Administration) who are facing foreclosure or who have a hard time paying their mortgage due to a hardship.

This HUD pre-foreclosure sales program designed to prevent foreclosure is only available to borrowers with an FHA loan (certain other restrictions apply).

Some hardships that may apply to you are divorce, illness, job loss, income cuts, etc.

This program can be the answer for someone with an FHA loan where they are no longer able to make payments on their loan and who are interested in participating in a short sale.

You can request a free consultation by calling Krisanne at 206.920.2541 or calling Kerstin at 206.276.5827 or sending email to info@propertyinseattle.com.

Or contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development at 1-877-622-8525.

If you decide to work with us on a HUD Pre-Foreclosure Sale, there are no upfront fees charged by us.

Not sure if you have an FHA loan? Contact us and we can find out or call your lender and ask them.

Brooks & Heinze Team
Skyline Properties, Inc.
Email: info@propertyinseattle.com
www.propertyinseattle.com

*We are not attorneys and always suggest you consult with an attorney before deciding the best course of action for you and if this program is the best fit for you.

Rent vs. Buy – Real estate as a Hedge against Inflation?


Real estate has gotten a bit of a bad reputation as an investment over the last couple of years. Many people have decided to rent because they believe real estate is a bad, volatile investment.

Granted, renting has its benefits – mainly flexibility. If you are not able to commit to living in a given area for more than five years, you probably should rent but if you plan on settling for longer you should consider homeownership as a valuable investment and a hedge against inflation.

Buying real estate now is attractive because it is affordable and can be financed at favorable terms (chiefly low rates). It doesn’t just make sense to buy but you may not want to get caught without real estate when inflation sets in.

As a homeowner, if you have a fixed-rate mortgage, you have stopped the progress of inflation on one of the biggest items in your personal budget: housing expenses – you are not subject to rental increases like a renter. You also get some tax benefits when you buy residential real estate. As a home owner, you will still have to pay property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs, but those are likely to be significantly less costly than rent thirty years down the road when you have paid off your mortgage and own your home.

The buzz is that inflation pressures are real – google it.

We are not economists, financial advisors or CPAs – please check with reliable sources, we can refer you to the appropriate professionals.

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Team
www.propertyinseattle.com

HOLY SMOKING DISHWASHER BATMAN!!!!


This is a guest entry by Charles Buell – Licensed Home Inspector & Licensed Structural Pest Inspector

Were any of your household appliances recalled?

It seems like every day some household appliance is recalled. Usually it is for minor issues, but sometimes it is for serious fire hazards.

If you are concerned about whether you have any such appliances in your home, I recommend that you use the Search Form available on the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) website. Just type in the model number and/or serial number and check.

You can also sign up for email announcements about CPSC recalls. The service is free and you will know these issues before they become front page news. As a Seattle Home Inspector, it is very difficult to keep up with all of the recalls, both past and present, and it is typically beyond the scope of a Standard Home Inspection and most Standards of Practice to identify them.

It is important for all consumers to be pro-active regarding recalls and use the available CPSC information to check for themselves. So use the Search Form and figure out if that dishwasher, wall heater, furnace or dryer is a “fire” waiting to happen.

Charles Buell can be reached at (206) 478-7371 or learn more about him at www.buellinspections.com.

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Team
http://www.propertyinseattle.com

Should anyone Buy or Sell Real Estate in this Market? Seattle Real Estate Market Conditions and Trends.


Seattle Real Estate Market Conditions and Trends. Seattle is still experiencing a buyer’s market with prices trending downwards and very favorable interest rates. The majority of properties in the market are short sales and foreclosed homes.

The news reports positive data one day and negative data the next day for the real estate market. This back and forth leaves everyone on edge and confused at a time when people are hungry for relief and good news. Homeowners who have seen their home’s value decline and are upside down (they owe more than the home is worth) are hoping prices will go up. Buyers in the market are not willing to commit to anything because they hope (or fear) prices will continue to decline.

So, what is really going on? Where do we think the Seattle market is going? (Note, we are not economists and some of this information is being passed on from articles read, etc. but we did not create a bibliography. Some is pure speculation on our part, an educated guess. You are encouraged to read and do your own research from non prime-time media sources.) According to Zillow*, in the 3rd quarter of 2010, Seattle’s median home value was $273,000, posting a 4.3% drop in value from the 2nd quarter, and a 10.6% drop in value from this time last year. Zillow further reports 23.2% of America’s homeowners are behind on their mortgages. However, in Seattle that number is higher, with an average of 27.7% homeowners behind on mortgage payments. As we near the end of 2010, the housing market in Seattle and most of the rest of the country remains fragile at best. Slow economic growth, weak employment and foreclosures continue to put pressure on the real estate market. It is our opinion that it will take several years to see a considerable improvement and true recovery in the real estate market, but first we may be in for some additional downward movement in home prices. The Fed has announced a new program of Quantitative Easing II. Basically it is a plan to print more money and try to get inflation jump started. Most people think that inflation would already be rampant due to all the money that the Fed has created out of thin air, but the money the Fed printed and gave to banks, GM, AIG, etc. has not been circulating in the economy. Despite historically low interest rates, more people then ever cannot get loans, credit card companies keep slashing credit lines, people are paying off their debt at an astonishing rate (and not spending on buying more things) and the money the Fed wanted to circulate in the economy is not circulating. The money supply has significantly decreased, not increased, which is called deflation (the banks are hoarding it or putting it in the risky investments or the stock market to buy up their own stock). Now back to inflation (a lot of money circulating in the economy), which is what the Government wants in order to allow the United States to keep current on its debts. There is no way that the United States can ever pay back all it has borrowed and so to keep current on the debt service, the dollar needs to be devalued (inflation) in order to pay back the interest on our country’s immense debt. Did you know that our (government’s) debt is equal to $47,000 per person in the United States? That is $188,000 per family of four. But, we don’t have inflation yet (much to the chagrin of the Fed), we have deflation. Prices are going down. We will eventually see inflation and when that starts, real estate is a terrific investment because it keeps up with inflation. If we have inflation of 3% per year, typically real estate will keep up. So, for those of you who own a home and are happy there, don’t worry if on “paper” you are underwater because the values will return, with help of inflation.

Should anyone buy or sell in this market? There is no easy or blanket answer for this but for some people this is a good time to buy with affordable prices and favorable financing terms if they are looking at real estate as a long term investment (and they get a great deal). For move up buyers this may be a great time because although they may perceive a “loss” in the sale of their current home, they can more than make up the loss with a great “discount” on a purchase. Homeowners who are struggling might weigh their options of a short sale or foreclosure on their primary residence and get a “new start” with the burden of debt relieved. Schedule an appointment with us to find out if this is the right time for you to buy or sell.

*Zillow is an online real estate database that was founded in 2005 by Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink, former Microsoft executives. Zillow produces home value reports for the nation and over 160 metropolitan statistical areas. The reports identify market trends including, but not limited to: five and 10-year annualized change, negative equity, short sales and foreclosure transactions.

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team
http://www.propertyinseattle.com

Get your home ready for the Winter Season


Outdoor Fall Maintenance Tips

1. Clear debris out of you window wells, gutters, down spouts, and storm drains. This will allow the water to properly drain, minimizing standing water and stalling the freeze and thaw expansion process that often occurs during colder months.

2. Make sure the weather stripping on your windows and doors fit and is in good condition.

3. Clean your windows. Sparkling clean windows let in lots of sunlight that will help chase away winter’s doldrums.

4. Look for broken or cracked glass and damaged screens or storm windows. Also, check for loose putty around glass panes.

5. Remove garden hoses from spouts, drain and store for the winter. Insulate outdoor faucets, pipes in unheated garages, and pipes in crawl spaces.

6. Keep rodents out. In the winter months, all kinds of critters will be looking for a cozy spot. They don’t need a lot of space to get into or under your home. Make sure all exterior vents are screened, and that there are no gaps underneath garage doors. Pet doors are another favorite access point for rodents.

7. Install storm windows to insure proper heating efficiency.

Indoor Maintenance Tips

1. Get your heating system checked by a professional.

2. Replace your furnace filter.

3. Clean out any dust that has accumulated in vents to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants and cut down on winter colds.

4. Make sure you have proper insulation in both your attic and basement. While checking your insulation, if you see any dark, dirty spots, it may indicate you have air leaks coming into your home.

5. Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.

6. Test all smoke alarms and clean dust from the covers. Replace batteries as necessary.

7. Test all ground-fault circuit interrupters, especially after electrical storms.

8. Check your home around windows and doors for air leaks. An easy way to check for leaks is to move a lighter around the window or door frame and see if the flame moves with a breeze. If you find a leak, you can caulk it or you may have to replace the wood frame. Repairing these leaks can save you money on your energy bill during the cold months.

9. Don’t ignore your hose bibs and learn the location of your pipes as well as how to shut off the water. If your pipes end up freezing, you’ll have a better chance of preventing a burst if you can quickly shut water off.

10. Clean and reverse ceiling fans. Reset fans for the winter routine by giving fan blades a thorough dusting, and then switch them to a clockwise spin in order to push warm air downward from the ceiling.

Happy Fall Days, enjoy the colors,
Kerstin

Kerstin G. Brooks
Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team
http://www.propertyinseattle.com