1. Change Your Light Bulbs

While lighting may not be your biggest drain on electricity in the home, it accounts for up to 20 percent of your electricity bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent lights (CFLs), you can save about 75 percent of the electricity used for each and every bulb replaced. Over the bulb’s lifetime, that equals around $30 or more. That’s a significant savings when you multiply it by the number of bulbs you use. Look for CFLs displaying the Energy Star logo for best results.

Tip: Install motion sensor switches in rooms where family members often forget to turn off the lights.

2. Perform Regular HVAC Maintenance

Up to half of the energy used in your home goes to your heating and air systems, depending on where you live and the condition of your home. Short of buying a new HVAC system with a better energy rating or fueled with an alternative energy source such as a heat pump – which requires a large upfront investment – proper maintenance will help your furnace or air conditioner use less energy. Clogged air filters force the system to strain and run more, driving up energy use and leading to more frequent breakdowns and repairs. Change your filters at least every three months or sooner if needed. If it looks dirty, it’s time. Also, hire a qualified HVAC repair technician to give your system an inspection and “tune up” at least once a year to maintain efficiency and proper operation.

Tip: Install a programmable thermostat to regulate home temperatures. Lower the temperature whenever you will be gone more than a few hours.

3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork

An efficient furnace, good insulation and thermostat temperature settings only go so far to save you money. If your HVAC air ducts leak, you could be losing 20 percent or more of your heated or cooled air – you might as well leave a window open all year round! Not to mention that leaky ductwork can circulate fumes and gasses, such as carbon monoxide. This can lead to poor indoor air quality, aggravated health problems or worse, as the Energy Star website explains. Sealing and insulating your ducts is the solution. Use mastic (a glue-like sealant) and metal-backed foil tape to seal each joint and seam. Afterward, wrap the ducts with special insulation designed for ductwork.

Tip – Insulate water pipes, especially the hot water, with pipe insulation for greater energy savings and comfort.

4. Stop Air Leaks

Where is air invading and escaping from your home? Prime problem areas include around electrical outlets and light switches, door and window frames, entry points where cables and lines of any type run into the house through the walls or floor, and surrounding wall- or window-mounted air conditioning units. Also check around gas lines or pipes, fireplaces, attic access doors or hatches, and around any vent or fan. Outside the home, use caulk to seal corners in the siding and wherever two materials meet, such as around water faucets and dryer or stove vents, chimney-to-roof joints and the foundation top. Inside, weatherstripping, caulk and expanding foam insulation can work wonders.

Tip – Don’t stop here. Take a look at your insulation and determine if it’s degraded and needs replacement or if it’s adequate to reach your area’s minimum R-values.

5. Unplug It!

Perhaps 10 percent of your energy cost goes to “energy vampires” or “ghosts” that steal your electricity. These are appliances and items that use power even when they aren’t actually on and working. Think of anything with a clock, timer, LED light or digital display. Even your phone charger keeps pumping electricity long after the phone is full if you leave it plugged in. To stop this useless drain, turn off nonessentials when you’re done with them. Consider using power strips to plug in items and simply turn off the strip when you’re finished.

Tip – Look for the Energy Star label, which indicates energy efficiency, when purchasing home appliances large and small.

For more information, please contact me at 703-340-7096 or email at sheilad@homes4saleinDC.com

Www.homes4saleinDC.com

City dwellers, college students, retirees and many others often choose to live in condos, apartments, lofts, or small homes. The key to maximizing these living quarters is to take advantage of the space that is available, making it functional while utilizing the right décor to create a roomier, airy feel. Here are some tips to help make this happen, wherever your small space might be.

Choosing a Color Palette

Choosing the proper color scheme is absolutely critical to small interior décor. Although obviously still a matter of personal preference, it’s best to go with light colors throughout. It’s not uncommon to see an entire space painted white or in shades of neutrals as these colors tend to create a much roomier feel. Other cool colors such as light shades of blue or gray can also establish this effect. Bolder color can be added in décor items or even as an accent wall. In cases where bolder wall color is utilized, an abundance of natural light should be present in order to maintain that larger, roomy feel.

A lighter palette should also be considered when choosing flooring, cabinetry and even furniture. Lighter stains of wood, painted wood or tile and carpet selections help to further enhance the feel of a larger space.

Let the Light In

Natural light is the absolute best way to establish the feel of a much larger, airier room. Welcome the light into your space wherever possible, and do your best not to obstruct its path.

Select window treatments such as blinds or sheers that easily open and close, welcoming in the sun during daylight hours but maintaining privacy at night. Hang your curtain rods high and choose curtains that hang to the floor. This aids in creating the feel of a taller space.

Take Advantage of a Small Kitchen Space

A smart kitchen design remains paramount to taking full advantage of a small space. Keep it open, light and utilitarian. Incorporate a breakfast bar with stools that tuck underneath neatly. Workspace and paths to the refrigerator, sink and stove should remain unobstructed and easily accessible. Consider stacking appliances if possible. A pull-out pantry and cabinetry with pull-out drawers can be useful when space is at a premium. To ensure you’re taking full advantage of all cabinet and storage space, transfer large or bulky store-bought items to airtight containers or canisters for stacking. Consider a pot rack to further save on cabinet space and maintain a functional working space. Countertop items should also be functional and kept to a minimum.

Decorating Any Small Space: Function First!

Furniture, wall décor and storage capabilities are all critical considerations when decorating a small space.

Choose furniture that serves a dual purpose. Utilize a large trunk or something comparable for a coffee table to provide precious storage space. Consider tables with leafs that can be stored compact and utilized in full when you plan for company. Table ensembles with benches also make a great option and utilize minimal space.

Built-in dressers are another great space-saving option, as are daybeds or even Murphy beds for studio spaces or in rooms that may serve a dual purpose.

Keep wall décor to a minimum! Consider a few large pieces of art, but add mirrors without question. They create an illusion of a larger space by adding dimension and also aid in the dispersion of natural light throughout your space, further enhancing a roomier feel.

Incorporate shelving whenever possible, utilizing your vertical wall space. Add decorative baskets under benches, coffee or end tables, and even under beds to maximize storage space and keep your small space tidy.

Decorating a small space can be somewhat challenging, but by keeping these tips in mind when decorating your studio, apartment or multipurpose room, you will create a much larger feel.

For more information, please contact me at 703-340-7096 or email at sheilad@homes4saleinDC.com

Www.homes4saleinDC.com

When real estate markets are moving quickly, sellers sometimes become uncompromising. Why make concessions if your home is leading the neighborhood’s Ms. Popularity contest? This may lead buyers, caught in the frenzy of a bidding war, to become reckless, yielding one of the most important aspects of the purchase process: the home inspection.

What an Inspection Won’t Do

Let’s face it: We don’t buy homes frequently, so the process can be a bit confusing. The home inspection is one of the most commonly misunderstood processes in the real estate transaction.

Just as a home appraisal won’t tell you that the heater is about to go kaput, a home inspection won’t tell you what the home is worth. These are two different processes, initiated by two different parties. The appraisal is bank-ordered. The lender uses the appraisal to ensure that the home is worth what you’ve promised to pay for it.

While a large home inspector training institute likes to claim that the inspection is “all-encompassing,” it is far from that. That’s not to diminish the value of the process – it is extremely important. But it can’t tell you, for instance, what might be growing or breeding behind the walls or if there is a dangerous radon level in the home

The typical investigation by a home inspector is a visual one. He or she will look at the home’s roof, structure and major systems, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC and ventilation. If an inspector can’t see an area for whatever reason – access is blocked by the owner’s belongings or it’s locked – she can’t investigate it and therefore won’t include it in the report.

What a Home Inspection Provides

The inspector will run the heating and cooling system and investigate the water heater. While in most cases an inspector doesn’t have access to the heat exchanger in the furnace, he can tell you the condition of the filter. He has no way of knowing the condition of the wiring behind the walls, but he can test the system for shorts.

The best home inspectors will recommend further inspection by an appropriate contractor. For instance, if he feels there may be a structural problem, he may recommend that you contact an engineer. If he notices evidence of wood-destroying pests, he may recommend that you have the home looked at by a pest inspector.

Should You Waive the Inspection Contingency?

In a multiple-offer situation, a buyer who waives the inspection contingency is most likely going to prevail. What seller wouldn’t relish the thought of a quicker close and fewer headaches, not to mention saving a ton of money if something happens to be wrong with the house?

But, by the same token, cash-strapped buyers need to know if the house they are about to buy has bad wiring, a leaky roof, a heating system on its last legs or anything else that may cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Make it Easy on the Inspector

As a buyer, you have no control over whether or not the seller will clear access to the areas of the home that the inspector needs to see. Ask your agent to add an addendum to the purchase agreement requesting that the seller provide the following:

Clear access to the attic – Inspectors are not allowed to touch or move personal items. If she can’t get to the attic access without moving things out of the way, the attic won’t be inspected.

An empty dishwasher – Home inspectors run through each cycle but will not do so unless the appliance is empty.

Access to the electric panel – Ask the seller to move boxes or anything else that may be blocking the electric panel.

Plumbing – The water service should be left on. If it is turned off at the main, the inspector will need written permission to turn it on.

A home inspector can’t possibly tell you everything that might be wrong with the home you’re about to purchase, but you will be reassured that the major systems are in good working order. And that peace-of-mind is something you should never compromise on.

For more information, please contact me at 703-340-7096 or email at sheilad@homes4saleinDC.com

Www.homes4saleinDC.com

Many Realtors have stories of clients who can envision the possibilities of a house that’s seemingly being held up by a prayer.

If you are one of these people, but are short on cash, here’s a solution: a government-backed loan that covers not only the purchase price of the home, but the cost to rehab it as well. It’s a loan provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, known as the Section 203(k) Program.

The Possibilities

This loan is best known for allowing the borrower to rehab and repair a home, but it has other uses as well. Borrowers have used the loan to:

Convert single-family homes into multifamily dwellings, with up to four units.

Convert multi-units to a single-family home.

Move a house to purchased land.

The Property

With most government loans, not only must the buyer qualify, but also the home. A dwelling’s eligibility includes:

It must be at least one year old.

If the home is going to be demolished, the existing foundation must remain.

If the program is being used to rehab a condo, you must intend to live in it, and all work must be confined to the interior of the unit.

The Borrower

Qualifying for the loan is identical to the requirements for any FHA loan. Some requirements of the borrower are:

Show a steady employment history, preferably with the same employer for at least the past two years.

Be a lawful resident of the U.S. and have a Social Security number.

How the 203(k) Loan Works

The beauty of this loan program is that the borrower has only one loan that incorporates both the price of the home and the cost to rehabilitate it. The loan amount is based on what the property’s projected worth will be after the work is done.

So go ahead and fall in love with the possibilities. You can afford to buy a fixer.

For more information, please contact me at 703-340-7096 or email at sheilad@homes4saleinDC.com

Www.homes4saleinDC.com