Hot days are here which may mean you notice a spike in your energy bill. Here’s some tips to help lower your bill:
1.) Utilize natural light. Make the most of the sunny days by opening your blinds and letting the natural light in instead of turning on and off light switches. Aim to avoid opening blinds with direct sunlight, such as east-facing windows in the morning, to prevent that room from getting too warm.
2.) Make sure your air conditioning unit is clean and prepared to run efficiently. Dirty filters make your system work harder to provide cool air and also reduces the lifespan of it. Changing the filter on your HVAC every other month and keeping your condensing unit free of debris can make a huge difference.
3.) Unplug. Unplug. Unplug. The TV in the guest bedroom that only gets used on occasion? Unplug it. Devices that don’t get used all day long while you’re at work, unplug those. Simple changes can yield big results.
4.) Strategically plant trees and ! ...

If you’ve been shopping for homes online and see a house listed as “Under Contract,” you may have wondered what that meant. 
Simply put, this means that the seller of a home has accepted an offer from a buyer. Though the sale hasn’t closed yet, each party is working toward fulfilling the terms of the agreement so that the sale can close and ownership be transferred to the new buyer of the home.
Once a seller has accepted an offer and gone under contract, they cannot accept another offer over that one even if it means more money for the sale.


Written by Blair Hayes, REALTOR®
Have any questions about buying or selling? Contact us! ...

May is here which means summer is right around the corner. You may already be feeling that summer is in the air with the rising temperatures and longer days. Now is a great time to do some routine maintenance and get your home prepared for the summer. Here’s a few tips!
1.) Ensure your fence gets repaired, if needed. During the summer it is more likely your family will be spending time outside. Therefore it is important to make sure your fence is properly standing and any posts that are broken or missing are replaced to make sure your loved ones are adequately protected. 
2.) Spray for pests. Be mindful of pets and children and first ensure they will not be near areas that get sprayed. You can usually find a bottle of bug spray at a supermarket, home goods store or many other retailers. Follow the instructions on the bottle to adequately and safely protect your home.
3.) Clean your gutters! Remove leaves, debris and anything else that could lead to blockages. That wa; ...

If you have ever looked at a home for sale online, one thing you may notice are the exceptional pictures of the home and how they can really make or break the listing. Good photos are supposed to highlight all the best features of a home, liven and brighten the space and make it feel warm and inviting. The home should also appear clean and tidy and compel you to view it in person. On the other hand, poorly shot photos of a cluttered space that aren’t well-lit can deter potential buyers by making the home appear unkempt, stuffy and lackluster. 

Being that most buyers turn to the Internet to search for homes, 97% of them in fact*, pictures are oftentimes a buyer’s first impression of your home. Thus, good pictures are absolutely imperative to your listing because they can either bring interest to your home or push it away. If you have very few or very limited photos of your home, that can also negatively impact how much interest that listing generates and thus, decrea. ...

Mold can not only be extremely damaging to your health, it can also be destructive to your home. Here’s a few tips you can easily implement to help protect you and your loved ones and your home:
1.) Always use vent fans. When taking a shower or bath, be sure to use the fan in your bathroom to help get rid of moisture in the air from steam. Also make sure to have the vent above your stove on when cooking.
2.) Locate the main water shut off valve for your home and make sure all occupants are informed of its location. In the event a pipe bursts or you notice some other type of flooding occurring in your home, you need to shut off your water immediately. Then, as quickly as you can, begin getting the water out of your home and allow the space to dry. Call a water damage restoration technician so you can ensure your home has been properly restored and aired out to prevent mold growth. 
3.) If your roof has leaked or you notice rings on your ceiling, call your insurance provide; ...