“Where
we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven, American
poet, (1809 – 1894)
Tip of the Month
With
summer still at its peak, air conditioners are still running
at full blast. Air conditioning units are a huge drain on
energy and can be very costly in the summer. Try these suggestions
for staying cool while saving energy and money:
• Clean the unit. On window A/C units,
use the soft brush attachment from your vacuum to gently clean
the coils, plastic slats on the front and aluminum slats behind
the filter. Also be sure to clean or replace the filter once
a month and be sure the side curtains are secured firmly against
the window to avoid leaks. For central units, gently wash
the metal fins with a soft scrub brush and mild detergent,
then rinse with a hose. Also, regularly replace or clean filters.
• Time your use. Install a programmable
thermostat for central units or a plug-in timer for window
units to control when you use your unit. Plan to start cooling
about 30 minutes before you return home.
• Keep the unit clear of debris. Keeping
curtains away from window units and foliage, clutter and leaves
or twigs away from central units will help the unit run more
efficiently.
Welcome to the August 2007 issue of
“At Home with HouseHunt,” HouseHunt’s
monthly consumer newsletter. As summer hits its peak
this month, as well as your air conditioner usage. Start
the month off right by following our tip of the month
on how to conserve energy costs for the rest of the
summer. Make sure you follow that up with our in-depth
piece on managing your overall energy costs this summer.
Wildfires are very problematic this time of year, so
make sure you read our feature article this month on
how to protect your home from fire damage. A house will
normally take your money whenever it gets a chance to…isn’t
it time to turn that around and finally get some money
from your house? It’s easier than you think, and
our story, “Your House: A New Source of Income”
should be a big help. Summer is the perfect time to
paint your home, but before you do that, look over our
guide on ten common painting mistakes, and how you can
avoid them. Many people look to invest in purchasing
rental properties. While they can be a profitable venture,
they come with problems of their own. We take a look
at this issue this month with our story, “Pointers
for Landlords: Protecting Your Investment.” Finally,
if you’re looking to cool off, look no further
than our seasonal suggestion on how to make the perfect
Peach-Mint Green Tea! The HouseHunt Team - Information
you need for all your real estate needs
Survey Question
Since all real
estate commissions are fully negotiable,
what do you think is reasonable in today’s slower
market? (Please select one answer and hit submit)
This
summer, do you feel hot, hot, hot? Cool down with a
refreshing, good-for-you beverage. You can even serve
it to guests at a summer barbeque or pool party to help
keep them below the boiling point. more>>
Wildfires,
electrical problems, fireworks, lightning: a home fire
can happen to any one of us. Take a few precautions,
however, and you can protect your home from complete
destruction. more>>
Even
homeowners who consider themselves DIY-impaired can
paint a room with minimal trouble, right? Well, maybe
not. Consider these common painting mistakes and how
to avoid them from MSN.com. more>>
It
didn't seem possible, but it's true: this summer, energy
costs are even higher. We'll walk through some ideas
with coping with the heat and the resulting cost. more>>
Owning
a rental property may sound like a great way to make
money easily, but it comes with its own headaches. Take
the right precautions, as a Realty Times article suggests,
and you will stay happy with your investment. more>>
Feedback: Please tell us what you think of this newsletter. Just send us
an email.
This
summer, do you feel hot, hot, hot? Cool down with a
refreshing, good-for-you beverage. You can even serve
it to guests at a summer barbeque or pool party to help
keep them below the boiling point. 
Wildfires,
electrical problems, fireworks, lightning: a home fire
can happen to any one of us. Take a few precautions,
however, and you can protect your home from complete
destruction. 
Your
house usually takes your money, why not let it pay you
back? Review these tips for successfully renting out
your home. 
Even
homeowners who consider themselves DIY-impaired can
paint a room with minimal trouble, right? Well, maybe
not. Consider these common painting mistakes and how
to avoid them from MSN.com. 
It
didn't seem possible, but it's true: this summer, energy
costs are even higher. We'll walk through some ideas
with coping with the heat and the resulting cost. 
Owning
a rental property may sound like a great way to make
money easily, but it comes with its own headaches. Take
the right precautions, as a Realty Times article suggests,
and you will stay happy with your investment.