Keep Those Cold Weather Pests Out!

Cold Weather Pests by Carla Hill

Ah. The sound of a gently crackling fire. The aroma of cinnamon. It's an idyllic Fall. The taste of warm apple cider. The melodic sound of rain on the roof. The arrival of spiders and stink bugs. Wait. What?

The change in seasons to cooler weather can mean an unwelcome addition to your home. Household pets can cause major damage to a home if left untreated.

Power Home Remodeling Group, one of the nation's largest home remodeling companies, knows a little something about these cold weather pests.

"Homeowners need to take the threat of pests seriously because they can do so much damage to the structure of a home," says Matt Hess, Power's VP of Operations-Installations. "Most pest infestations and accompanying damage are considered maintenance issues by homeowners' insurance carriers, forcing homeowners to cover costs themselves. Prevention is key to protecting both your home and your wallet."

Some species of pests are more likely to invade your home come fall than others. Power offers tips below to help protect your home from pests this fall:

1.Remove standing water: While this was a mosquito breeding ground during the heat of Summer, it's now a playground for termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles.

2.Trim shrubs: According to Power, "Many pests use vegetation as a bridge from the ground into your home; so keep bushes, shrubs, vines and trees from touching the house. Wood mulch and plants should also be kept at least 18 inches away from the foundation to prevent rot."

3.Eliminate yard clutter: Termites and carpenter ants love wood. They love piles of wood, rotted stumps, and any other yummy tree-based products! Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and outdoor structures and at least five inches off the ground.

4.Seal gaps and cracks: Stink bugs, in all their loveliness, are looking for a warm place to rest. By sealing up gaps around windows, doors, and roofing you are making it just a little harder for them to make your home their winter getaway. Power suggests, "Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk or epoxy, and use steel wool or hardware cloth to block openings where wires, pipes and cables come into or out of exterior walls. Also be sure to ventilate attics and crawl spaces to ensure the venting system has a good airflow to prevent the buildup of moisture."

5.Don't forget the attic! If you think pests can't climb or fly, you're wrong! Warm dryer vents are cozy places to set up camp. Attics can be perfect homes for raccoons, squirrels, and mice. All of these larger pests can do some real damage to your home. Placing a mesh barrier over points of entry, like vents, holes or large cracks, will keep both the animals, and the mites and fleas they carry, outside where they belong.

By addressing this issue now before they become problematic you can save yourself time and money in the long run. Take a few moments today to do a "pest prevention" check-up on your home.

Courtesy of Realty Times http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20121206_coldpests.htm

Gorgeous Waterfront Home!

15700 BLUEWATER COURT LAKEFRONT HOME IN GATED/GOLF COMMUNITY! 4,000+ sqft custom built with picturesque views, outdoor shower, boat dock, lower level can easily function as an in-law suite. Additional (adjacent) waterfront lots are available. Deercroft amenities include a pool, tennis courts, community center, beach and boat ramp. Golf membership is also available. A MUST SEE! Call Patty at 910-476-4267 to view this home or any other homes! Search Thousands of Listings. View all available foreclosures instantly. Estimate Mortgage Cost. Litchfield Realty Patty Herrera, Broker www.ask4patty.com | 910-476-4267 | Contact Me

Top Reasons to Own a Home

"Buyers all across the nation are making their dreams come true. They’re signing on the dotted line and grabbing hold of the keys to a family home.

Despite record low interest rates and enticing pricing, many potential buyers are delaying the decision to buy. What’s keeping you on the sidelines? Let’s take a look at the top reasons to own a home.

Building equity. Writing a check to the landlord is equivalent to lining their pocket with your potential equity. It is money you never get back. You’re paying for a finite amount of time -- one month, one year, etc. Owning your own home means building equity. Each and every mortgage payment is going towards paying down a principal. The worth of your home, however, should continue to gain. The difference between what you owe and the value of your home is equity.

Predictability. Gas and grocery prices may rise, especially in the midst of this Summer’s tremendous drought in the American heartland, but a fixed rate mortgage is as predictable as they come. Your mortgage payment will be X amount for the life of the loan.

Tax Breaks. Uncle Sam likes homeowners! Did you know that you can deduct the interest you pay each year on your home loan? You can deduct the cost of your property taxes. Even making energy-efficient upgrades can be tax deductible.

Appreciation. Home prices are once again on the rise, up nearly 10 percent over 2011 prices. This means a home bought for $100,000 in 2011 could now be worth around $110,000! Over the years (real estate is a long-term investment) your home should gain value. If you decide to sell, you would be looking at a healthy profit! According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), "The number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing."

Social Benefits. We’ve talked about the financial benefits of owning a home, but did you know that homeowners generally rate themselves as happier and healthier than their renting counterparts. Part of this is thanks to the stability that homeownership brings. Neighbors are more permanent fixtures in your life, meaning friendships that last for years to come. Children of homeowners are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to experience teen pregnancy. It’s all about creating a stable environment for the whole family. Homeownership can be a great way to secure future financial security and freedom. So, what’s stopping you from getting into the market? This big purchase comes with lots of perks and there’s never been a better time to buy.

Published: October 31, 2012"

by Carla Hill from Realty Times

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20121031_ownahome.htm

 

Country Charmer with LOTS of yard space!!

197 Melody Ln, Cameron, NC   Send to Friend Close to Fort Bragg and Sanford!!   Share Listing
4BR/2+1BA Single Family House offered at $174,900 Year Built 1994 Sq Footage 2,001 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 0.70 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Large 4 bedroom plus bonus room,with 2.5 baths,formal dining room, great room with fireplace,kitchen, master bedroom upstairs with walk-in-closet,master bath with dual vanities, jetted tub,separate shower,all other bedrooms upstairs,outside storage shed,large fenced back yard overlooking woods.Great for that growing family and close to Fort Bragg and Sanford. For more information on this home or any other home on the market visit my website at www.ask4patty.com to view this home or any homes available in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas or call Patty at 910-476-4267. Front click on thumbnail to enlarge
PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace Walk-in closet Family room Bonus/Rec room Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard
Contact info: Patty Herrera Litchfield Realty (910) 476-4267 For sale by agent/broker View my other listings	Contact: email (required) subject confirm text >

Choosing A Home That's Right For You

Here are some tips to help determine which house is best for you.

Once you've settled on a couple of neighborhoods for your search, it's time to pick out a few homes to view. Your wish list can remind you which features are absolute requirements and which amenities you'd like to have if possible. When narrowing down your home search, consider:

• Types of homes
• Home purchase considerations
• Home comparison chart
• What to do when you’ve found the right home for you

Types of homes

In addition to single family homes (one home per lot), there are other forms of home ownership:

 

Multifamily homes: Some buyers, particularly first-timers, start with multiple family dwellings, so they'll have rental income to help with their costs. Many mortgage plans, including VA and FHA loans, can be used for buildings with up to four units, if the buyer intends to occupy one of them.

 

Condominiums: With a condo, you own "from the plaster in" just as you would a single house. You also own a certain percentage of the "common elements" -- staircases, sidewalks, roofs and the like. Monthly charges pay your share of taxes and insurance on those elements, as well as repairs and maintenance. A homeowners association administers the development.

 

Co-ops: In a few cities, cooperative apartments are common. With those, you purchase shares in a corporation that owns the whole building, and you receive a lease to your own apartment. A board of directors supervises management. Monthly charges include your share of an overall mortgage on the building.

 

Home purchase considerations

 Most buyers' first consideration, after neighborhoods are chosen, is the number of bedrooms. As you begin to view homes, keep the following purchase and resale considerations in mind:

• Weigh your needs, budget and personal tastes in deciding whether you want a home that’s a newly constructed home, an older home or a home that requires some work -- a "fixer-upper."
• One-bedroom condos are more difficult to resell than two-bedroom ones.
• Two-bedroom/one-bath single houses generally have less appeal than houses with three or more bedrooms, and therefore less appreciation potential.
• Homes with "curb appeal" (a well-maintained, attractive, and charming view-from-the-street appearance) are the easiest to resell.
• When resale is a possibility, don't buy the most expensive house on the street, or anything that is unusual or unique. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home on the street.

Home comparison chart

While house-hunting, it's a good idea to make notes about what you see because viewing several houses at a time can be confusing. Use our home comparison chart to help you keep track of your search, organize your thoughts and record your impressions.

When you’ve found the right home

 

 Before you begin the home buying process, resolve to act promptly when you find the right house. Every REALTOR® has stories to tell about a couple who looked far and wide for their dream home, finally found it, and then revealed that "we always promised my Dad we'd sleep on it, so we'll make an offer tomorrow." Many times the story has a sad ending -- someone else came in that evening with an offer that was accepted.

 

Resolve at this point that you will act decisively when you find the house that’s clearly right for you. This is particularly important after a long search or if the house is newly listed and/or under-priced.