Cutting Moving Costs

An interstate move of at least 1,220 miles costs, on average $5,630. In state moves cost an average of $1,170, according to the American Moving and Storage Association. Buying and selling a home is the exciting part; moving is the necessary evil. Read about six ways to cut moving expenses, below:

1. Do it yourself. You can rent a truck and pack your belongings yourself. Not comfortable driving large moving vehicles? Some companies will let you pack and load your own moving truck, while providing drivers. You can also outsource some of the moving (larger items such as futons and big screen TVs cannot easily be personally transported) and do the rest yourself (smaller items such as clothes and kitchen supplies can be packed in boxes and transported in your own car).

2. Request price quotes. Contact at least three moving companies and inform them of the weight and number of items you need to move. Include the number of miles between your old and new home in order to get accurate quotes. Check resources such as Angie's List and Yelp to read reviews of various moving companies and value for price. Also look for coupons and discounts. For a quick quote, click here.

3. Schedule your move for a non-peak time, if you can. Most people move in the summer, at the beginning or end of the month. Moving at another time can lead to better deals. Be sure to thoroughly plan your move.

4. Check your insurance policy. Some homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cover your items during your move. If not, insurance to protect your belonging during your move can be purchased for an additional fee.

5. Save on moving materials. Go to big box stores, gas stations, and grocery stores and ask for their leftover shipping boxes. Ask family, friends, and coworkers for their spare boxes. There is no need to spend $20 on a specialty TV box! Use newspapers and T-shirts to safely pack you items.

6. Use tax deductions. People who move for work can be eligible to deduct moving expenses from their taxes, especially if moving 50 miles or more away. Get more information about moving-related tax deductions here.

Making Your Home Energy Efficient

According the the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household spend over $2,200 on annual energy bills. This can partially be attributed to our inefficient homes, which often feature leaky windows, under insulated attics, and outdated AC units. The U.S. Green Building Council discusses five areas that can help make your home more energy efficient--thus saving you money in bills and creating a more comfortable home. The first area deals with insulation, used to keep warm air inside during the winter. Seal air leaks around baseboards and the edge of flooring. Seal attic space by adding extra insulation. Second, install double or triple-pane windows for best results. Adding a tint to your windows is a less expensive way to make existing windows more energy efficient. Third, upgrade older appliances with Energy Star appliances. Fourth, replace the furnace--especially if it was built prior to 1992. Furnaces build before than probably have a standing pilot, which wastes 35% of the fuel it uses. Finally, swap incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent lamps and LEDs. These can reduce electricity usage by 75%!

Everything you Need to Know About Painting

Painting is a relativity inexpensive project that many home owners tackle themselves. However, successfully creating an accent wall may prove tougher than you think. Here’s some fast facts about painting as highlighted in HGTV magazine:

You should dip your paint brush one third of the way into a paint can. Many people over-submerge, and waste paint.

Pull off painter’s tape right away. If you wait longer, you could pull off some paint and forgo the opportunity to wipe off any misplaced paint.

The best way to unclog the nozzle of a spray paint can is to flip the can upside down and pray for five seconds. The can will spray compressed air, thus clearing the nozzle. Two cans should be bought to spray paint a medium sized side chair.

Ceiling paint is NOT the same as wall paint. Ceiling paint is formed of white paint that streaks less and covers better than wall paint. If you want a dark color on your ceiling, you may have to use wall paint.

At the end of the day, if you’re not finished painting, wrap your brushes with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Leaving the brushes in water could saturate them and dilute the paint. Leaving them in a paint can lets in too much air and may dry the paint out.

Skim coat your walls if they’re uneven. Applying a thin layer of compound to even out the wall before its painted can prevent a bumpy finish.

A good exterior paint job should last 8-12 years. 100% acrylic exterior paint with a long-term warranty is your best bet. Don’t use latex paint over something previously painted with oil-based plaint. This could cause your paint to bubble and crack once it’s dry.

Buy low VOC (volatile organize compounds) paint. These chemicals can cause headaches and irritate eyes.

Canvas drop cloths are better than plastic drop cloths for covering floors. Plastic is slippery and not very durable; it’s better used for protecting furniture and fixtures.

You need about a gallon of paint per 400 square feet. Also consider layers, doors, and windows. The paint calculator at sherwinwilliams.com is a good resource.

Finally, when you’re shopping for paint, you may wonder why some are more expensive than others. This is most often due to the fact that they’re made with high-quality, concentrated pigments, which make colors look rich on walls but contain pricy ingredients.

For a detailed demonstration on how to paint a wall, click on the video below. 

Experts 'Okay' Retiring with a Mortgage

According to Jim Weiker’s article in The Columbus Dispatch, experts claim that carrying a home loan into retirement is not all the bad. An increasing number of people are keeping a mortgage longer than a job, and the amount of retirees holding a mortgage has skyrocketed from 26.4% in 1989 to 65.7% in 2012 for homeowners 64+. Likewise, the average mortgage debt held by people between 65 to 74 of age nearly tripled from 25,900 in 1989 to $70,000 in 2010, according to the federal Survey of Consumer Finances. Theories on the topic vary. Some claim that these statistics reflect “people living beyond their means and failing to save for retirement.” Others argue that debt is “simply a fact of life, not something they expect to end.” The survey revealed additional noteworthy statistics: 36% of those surveyed expect their debts to succeed their assets following retirement. Recently low interest rates support peoples’ decisions to purchase home they may be unable to finance. Senior analyst with Bankrate, Greg McBride, mentions that there is no incentive for retirees to pay off their mortgage. Paying off a low-rate, often tax deductible debt is not most people’s top priority (whereas credit card, for example, is).

The bottom line: if you have enough cash flow to support the mortgage payment, it’s perfectly fine to hold a mortgage after you stop working. But if you don’t have the necessary income to support the mortgage during retirement, it’s probably a good idea to sell your home. If you’re in this position, please consider letting me be your real estate agent. I’m very experienced with senior homeowners, and would be glad to help you sell your home. 

All About Fireplaces

With the first snow behind us, it's a good time to start thinking about preparing your fireplace for the winter. At least half of all American households have at least one fireplace. However, they are not to be taken for granted--they can be dangerous if improperly maintained. The National Fire Protection Association cites at least 12,000 U.S. deaths from residential fires each year. Creosote--a highly flammable byproduct of combustion that builds up in chimneys of wood-burning fireplaces, is often responsible.

Cleaning your wood-burning fireplace: It's all about the chimney. The Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA) advises annual inspections by a certified chimney sweep. This way, homeowners can identify potential problems earlier, saving them the costly and timely maintenance fees that would result should the problem go unnoticed. Click here to find a CSIA approved certified professional. After cleaning, ensure that wood is adequately dried and prepared. When you start a fire, don't forget to open the chimney flue, which will enable smoke to exit.

Cleaning your gas fireplace: check burning equipment (i.e, logs) to search for damange. Remove the gas log inserts in order to vacuum or dust them with a dry rag. Use a window cleaner to wipe both sides of the glass, and finish by wiping the exterior using a wet cloth. When all is said and done, sit back and enjoy your evening!

Winter Vacation Escapes

Nigel Maynard wrote about the top 5 snowbird vacation destinations in his article published by At Home Magazine. The term "snowbird" refers to residents from cold states who annually migrate south for the winter. Often times, retirees with second homes in warmer places or people with easily transportable businesses fit this description. Some without second homes choose to travel in their RV. Interestingly, when snowbirds go south, they also ramp up their quality of life. But where exactly do these people go?

No 1: The Florida Panhandle. Nearly 1 million people migrate to Florida every winter. The Sunshine State is noted for its beaches, fishing, and golfing.

No. 2: Galveston, Texas. South Texas is a great option for snowbirds. Galveston is a costal area, while Austin offers a vibrate music scene and outdoor recreation.

No. 3: Joshua Tree, California. Southern California also has a lot to offer. The Coachella Valley (Near Joshua Tree National Park) and desert resort cities are popular among snowbirds. For great weather and world-class golf, go to Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or Indian Wells.

No. 4: Yuma, Arizona. The state's average day time temperature of 70 degrees often draws people to Western Arizona. Yuma offers casino and RV parks, while Quartzsite provides low cost or free public camping areas.

No. 5: Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque sees over 300 sunny days each year. New Mexico appeals to snowbirds because it offers the best of both worlds: someone can spend a warm day in the lowlands then head over to a nearby ski resort!

Fall Cleaning

Sometimes, Spring cleaning isn't enough. While you've been gone on vacation, dust and cobwebs have accumulated in your home. The answer? Fall cleaning.

Why? Fall cleaning often reduces the stress of spring cleaning. Cleaning outdoor furniture and grills before they are put away for the winter means that you no longer have to clean these items in the spring. Experts say that fall cleaning is actually just as important as spring cleaning, as it's crucial for the general upkeep of a home. 

Where to start: take inventory of your cleaning supplies and where they can be found. Buy any products you know you will need, but do not have. 

What to do: power-wash windows, clean gutters, refresh your dishwasher with baking soda, clean (or replace) your humidifier(s), steam clean carpets, and clean your oven, refrigerator, and kitchen cabinets. 

Think this list is lengthy? It's only a small sample! For a more complete list of recommended fall cleaning activities, click here.  Below is a brief video on how you can inexpensively clean your oven without using harsh chemicals.