The Wardlaw Team Southern Indiana Real Estate Blog

Time for Seasonal Sprucing up

2011-06-02T00:50:00-07:00

There is no time like the present to do the spring and summer home maintenance. The long winter and early spring weren't just tough on people, it is tough on our homes too. Preventative maintenance is always less expensive and time consuming than waiting until a real problem develops. Some important maintenance items to address come from Shannon Petrie, assistant editor of HGTVPro.com and DIYNetwork.com. Have your central air unit cleaned and serviced by a licensed HVAC professional, clean your gutters and downspouts, check smoke detectors, check caulking aournd windows & doors, pressure wash decks, patios, and other exterior surfaces, seal or stain decks, trim shrubs back from your home (especially around air conditioners & crawl space access), scrap & repaint any exterior surfaces where there is peeling paint. When you do these items early in the season, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your home the rest of the summer!

By Referral Only

2011-03-25T00:09:00-07:00

By Referral Only Spring has sprung, but flowers aren't the only thing coming around your home. This is the perfect season for home maintenance scam artists. As we enter the Spring season and get out more, we realize that our home may need paint, landscaping work, driveway repair, or roof repair. And while there are many reputable service companies and individuals in our Southern Indiana area, there are also scam artist who will take your money and not to the work or do the work improperly. Signs that you might be talking to a less than reputable contractor are: drive an unmarked vehicle, ask for cash upfront before any work is started, tell you they just happened to be in the neighborhood and could do your job today. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't. Don't be taken in by these scam artists. To avoid these type of contractors, don't automatcally hire the first contractor you meet. When you need work done at your home take the time to ask for referrals from your family, friends, and co-workers. Get several estimates, ask if the work comes with a written guarantee, and know just how payment it expected.

Tips to Save Energy and Add Value

2010-01-22T15:35:00-07:00

When it comes to energy efficiency, look for smart features and expertise to help you save energy and money and add value to your home. 1.Begin with a right-sized home. If the home you buy is simply too large for you or your family’s needs or plans, you stand a good chance of wasting energy through excessive heating and cooling costs. If it’s too small, you’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable. It’s a big investment, so seek balance and buy it “right” from the outset. 2.Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances such as your TV, dishwasher, washer and dyer, and microwave. And especially the refrigerator, as it alone contributes about 10 percent of the energy use in a home. Also, unplug electronics not in use or turn off power strips to avoid phantom charges. 3.Install efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent (CLF) or LED bulbs in every fixture. Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of an energy bill each year. 4.Get an energy audit and have tests performed to identify ways of improving your efficiency. You can always upgrade your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as well as your thermal envelope, which includes insulation, windows, and doors and the seals or weather-stripping around them. Visit energy.gov/energytips for more tips.