My Blog

Would You Want to be Your Neighbor?

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Sep 4, 2010

Good neighbors are often not mentioned because the faults of bad neighbors are generally more obvious to everyone. Loud music, blaring TVs, frequent parties, driving too fast, messy yards, obnoxious pets, and being perpetually inconsiderate are some main offenses. However, just because good neighbors aren't discussed as often as poor ones, it doesn't mean being a good neighbor goes unnoticed. Here are some ways you can be the type of neighbor you would want.

Welcome new neighbors with a card, a plate of goodies, or just a friendly introduction. Everyone wants to feel like they have found their "home," and being kind and welcoming to new neighbors can help build lasting friendships.

Maintain your yard. You don't have to be the envy of all your neighbors with the greenest, most well-kept lawn. In fact, depending on where you live, the time of year, and your water supply, that can sometimes be more annoying than a dead lawn. Just water and mow your lawn as necessary, and pick up stray toys at the end of each day. Also, this should go without saying, but never park a vehicle on your lawn.

Slow down. You don't want to be the person who is known for speeding out of your driveway. Be aware of children playing outside, runners, bikers, and other vehicles in your neighborhood.

Be conscious of your music volume and the time of day you listen to loud music.

Invite neighbors over for dinner. Host a barbeque or party to get to know your neighbors.

Give your neighbors fair warning if you're going to have a large party or if cars may be parked in front of their homes. Even better, give them an invitation to the party.

Maintain control of your pets. Don't allow them to roam the neighborhood, and always clean up after them. Don't let your dog keep your neighbors up by barking outside all night.

When new neighbors move in, offer to help unload moving trucks and unpack boxes.

Offer to make meals for families with a new baby, an ill family member, or families who have recently lost a loved one.

Know and follow your HOA guidelines and/or city ordinances.

The simplest way to be a good neighbor is to be polite and considerate. Smile, wave, and strike up conversations. Do what your mother always taught you, and treat your neighbors as you want them to treat you.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Sep 3, 2010

Make Dollars Out of Scents

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Sep 1, 2010

Spruce up the Aroma of Your Home to Sell

When homebuyers walk into a home for sale all five senses are actively scanning the environment. The sense of smell can send a strong message to the brain while the brain is busy formulating a first impression.

Regardless of your home’s appearance, an unpleasant odor can turn buyers away. At the same time, pleasant aromas can invoke feelings of comfort, relaxation, happiness and peace.

Carefully selected scents can actually help you get more dollars out of your home when combined with other staging methods. We have experience in creating just the right setting to present your home for sale. Feel free to contact us for a no obligation consultation and tips to make your property even more desirable.

1. Dirt Stinks.

Let’s face it, no matter what kind of candle, spray or air freshener you use the fine scents will not cover up the smell of an unclean environment. The first smell to create is a clean smell. Don’t use overpowering industrial cleaners that leave strong scents behind. Even those scents are sometimes undesirable.

Wash walls, baseboards, and floors
Leave no dirty dishes in the sink or on counters
Clean the garbage disposal regularly
Keep trash cans empty
Clean toilets regularly
Eliminate all signs of mildew and mold
Dust often
Avoid smoking indoors
Never leave dirty diapers in the house
Keep laundry clean and put away
Keep pets outside or keep litter box clean and fresh for indoor cats

2. People are Sensitive to Smells

Once your house is smelling clean and fresh, be very careful about the scents and methods of distributing those scents. Many people have allergies to spray air fresheners. Other people simply feel overpowered by the scent of a strong burning candle. Still others may associate certain smells with negative memories or experiences in their lives. Strong, overpowering smells may be offensive and may make buyers suspicious you are trying to cover up a bad smell.

3. Natural, Subtle Scents are Best

Play it safe by creating an atmosphere of natural scents and smells.

Place fresh, fragrant flowers in strategic locations throughout the home for a subtle, natural scent. Flowers from your own garden are wonderful! If not available, fresh flowers from the grocer will do just fine.

Consider whipping up a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies as your guests arrive to create a homey feeling. Maybe you could choose the day of their visit to put a nice stew in the crock pot.

Creating just the right ambiance in your home when staging it to sell could net thousands more in the final sales price. Remember, don’t over do it. Natural is best.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009

Who are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and What do They Have to Do with My Mortgage?

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 29, 2010

Bankers, real estate sales associates and even journalists use the terms “Fannie Mae” and “Freddie Mac” like the names of old friends -- veterans in the mortgage game. We’ve all heard the term and feel like we should remember good old Fannie pinching our cheeks at a family reunion while Freddie flipped the burgers. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t remember them or even know who they are. Don’t fret if you don’t even know what they are. You’re in good company.

At our company we have challenged ourselves to help educate our clients and potential clients by educating ourselves. Consider this a little brush up on loan lingo that will wipe away that ever so dim question mark that pops up in your mind when these terms are mentioned. Feel free to contact us today and we’ll be glad to answer all of your questions about mortgage-related issues -- or at least we’ll find someone else who can!

Fannie Mae does not Wear a Straw Hat or Crochet Placemats

Fannie Mae is a friendly name for the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA). I know, that doesn’t help much, but it’s a start. Fannie Mae is actually a stockholder-owned corporation. Congress chartered the organization in 1968 as a government-sponsored enterprise. The association was actually founded in 1938 during the Great Depression.

The mission of the association is to “provide liquidity and stability to the U.S. housing and mortgage markets,” according to Fannie Mae’s website at www.fanniemae.com.

Fannie Mae works in the secondary mortgage market. It doesn’t make loans directly to buyers, but rather works with primary lenders like mortgage bankers, brokers, and others to make sure they have the funds available to give borrowers affordable rates. Mortgage investments are funded through debt securities in the U.S. domestic market and in international capital markets.

Unfortunately, Fannie Mae -- sweet as she is -- ran into some trouble as a private shareholder-owned company. On Sept. 6, 2008, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director James Lockhart put his agency in charge of overseeing the private company. Fannie Mae was bailed out of a major economic crisis with up to $100 billion in capital from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to ensure the housing and mortgage markets stayed liquid. Basically this means the federal government took legal control of the private company in exchange for financial assistance. This was considered a broad and sweeping government intervention in a private industry unlike any seen in decades in America.

Fannie Mae works in three separate businesses:

Single family housing
Housing and Community Development
Capital Markets

These entities “work together to provide services, products, and solutions to lender partners and a broad range of housing partners,” according to http://www.fanniemae.com.

Freddie Mac is Not Your Favorite Uncle

Freddie Mac has certainly helped the mortgage industry, but rather than a friendly old man playing checkers in the park, Freddie Mac is known by a much more distinguished name in the US Government: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

Freddie Mac, like Fannie Mae, is a private government sponsored enterprise. It was created in 1970 to help grow the mortgage secondary market. Freddie Mac buys mortgages on the secondary market, pools them together and sells them. They are sold as mortgage-backed securities on what we know as the open market.

This is a good plan because it increases the amount of money out there for mortgages. Like Fannie Mae, Lockhart locked up conservatorship of Freddie Mac in September 2008 to prevent further collapse of a mortgage market in crisis.

Where does Freddie Mac’s money come from? The enterprise charges guarantee fees on loans that it purchases and puts into mortgage-backed security bonds. Freddie Mac assumes the risk on these mortgages and lenders are happy to let Freddie Mac have it and the fees. Freddy Mac guarantees a lender will get back principal and interest on such loans whether or not the borrower actually pays.

As of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac owned or guaranteed about $12 trillion of the country’s mortgage market.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009

Offering Seller Incentives in Lieu of Homebuyer Tax Credit

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 26, 2010

After the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit expired in April this year, pending sales of existing properties fell 30% in May according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

If you are a current seller in this market, you may already feel the severe effects of the end of the federal tax credit. If you want to sell your home, there are a number of incentives you can offer to homebuyers in lieu of the homebuyer tax credit.

Lower your price. This seems obvious, but to really make it count, you may have to price your home low from the beginning to get multiple offers. Buyers are much more aware of the economy than they ever have been, and often, a lower price is much more appealing than any free perk. Also, buyers have access to an unlimited amount of data, and they will know if your home is priced too high.

Pay closing costs. Offer to pay a portion of the buyer's closing costs. Under the FHA mortgage program, sellers can provide credits up to 3% of the sale price (previously 6% but was changed to 3% in April 2010) to off-set closing costs. Sellers cannot, however, directly pay any portion of the buyer's down payment.

Update the interior. Offer to install new carpet, use a fresh coat of paint, and replace light fixtures.

Include appliances. Many new homeowners don't own a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or microwave. Including appliances that are already in the home is very enticing to many homebuyers.

Another option for sellers is to hold off until next year. Many market analysts are predicting the country won't see a steadily growing market until spring 2011. Most importantly, be patient. Statistics show that on average, it takes 21 showings to sell a home. However, offering incentives in lieu of the homebuyer tax credit, which caused a surge in home purchases over the past 18 months, is one way to help you sell your home faster.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 24, 2010

Are the Feds Really Making Homes Affordable?

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 23, 2010

After America’s housing market slumped to staggering lows in the fourth quarter of 2008, the Obama Administration made addressing key problems at the core of the country’s financial crisis a top priority.

Before the first quarter of 2009 was over, the Administration introduced a Financial Stability Plan to sure up our economy. The plan included the critical “Making Home Affordable“ program to stabilize the housing market. The plan targets 7 to 9 million Americans who could benefit from a reduction in their monthly mortgage payments.

A government consumer website at www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov gives the low-down on this recovery effort. I wanted to make you aware of the highlights. As a professional sales associate, I want to make sure you are up to date and in tune with the government’s efforts to assist many of you who could undoubtedly benefit from this program. If, after reading this, you are unsure of your status please feel free to contact me for a no-obligation consultation about how this program may help you. We will explain how your lender or a qualified program consultant can get you on the right track to reducing your mortgage payments.

Millions of home loans are guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This program gives 4 to 5 million homeowners with guaranteed loans the chance to refinance in order to bring house payments down to a manageable amount.

According to the program’s website, “The Home Affordable Modification Program commits $75 billion to keep up to 3 to 4 million Americans in their homes by preventing avoidable foreclosures.” Bottom line, not everyone will qualify and those who wait too late could miss the boat.

Even if you are not behind on your house payments this program could work for you. People who have not been able to take advantage of lower interest rates by refinancing their homes with mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may be able to reduce payments based on a lower interest rate alone.

Do You Qualify?

There’s only one way to find out if you qualify and that is to research. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get all of the details upfront if you’re in need of some assistance.

At http://www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov, there are handy self-assessment tools and calculators that can help determine whether or not the Obama Administration’s program will help. On this website you can:

conduct a self-assessment to see if you qualify
connect with free counseling resources
locate homeowner events in your community
find a checklist of documents and materials to have ready when you decide to apply for assistance through the program

A Word of Caution

Please, don’t get caught up on Making Home Affordable scams. The program warns there are people out there waiting to take advantage of struggling homeowners looking for a way out. “There is never a fee to get assistance or information about Making Home Affordable from your lender or a HUD-approved housing counselor,” according to http://www.MakingHomeAffordable.com. Never, but never submit mortgage payments to anyone but your mortgage company without approval in writing from your lender.

If you feel threatened by a pending foreclosure or are struggling to make your house payments, you might be frightened and are surely overwrought with concern. Contact us for help. You don’t have to do this alone. This is just one option for people who are struggling to make house payments. If you don’t qualify, we may be able to assist you with a short sale to help protect you from foreclosure.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009

Credit Report Basics: What to Know When Buying a Home

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 20, 2010

Many prospective homebuyers overlook the process of checking their credit report prior to applying for a loan. The information in your credit report can affect your interest rate, your down payment, or whether or not you can even buy a home.

Mortgage lenders want to know they will be repaid. Your credit report, which is a detailed record of your credit history, helps lenders determine a potential buyer's ability to repay their loan. Usually, mortgage lenders put the most emphasis on the following aspects of your credit report:

Past payment history
Current debts
Length of credit history
Number of new credit accounts you've opened or applied for
Types of credit you have

How Can I Get My Credit Report?

There are currently three companies that maintain credit information: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You are entitled to one free credit report per year by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. However, this credit report will not give you a credit score. If you want your credit score, you'll likely have to pay an additional fee.

Each of the credit reporting agencies also give you the option to purchase the full report and score they maintain. There are also options to purchase a "3-in-one" report which is a detailed overview of the information and scores from each of the three agencies. Be cautious of "free reports" with hidden fees unless you prefer a monthly credit monitoring service fee.

By reviewing your credit report in advance, you can determine the possibility of obtaining a loan with a good interest rate before applying for your loan. You can also catch any errors that may hinder the loan process.

What Does My Credit Score Say About Me?

The information provided by the three credit reporting agencies is used to create your FICO score, which is a number from approximately 300 to 850. Lenders will use your credit score when considering you for a loan, and if it's considered good, you'll have an easier time getting approved. If it's considered bad, you'll have more difficulty getting approved for a loan and likely pay a higher interest rate and down payment than somebody with good credit. You can get all three of your FICO scores from myFico.com.

If each of your FICO credit scores is 760 or higher, your credit is considered excellent. If your FICO scores are between 700 and 759, your credit is considered good. If your FICO scores are less than 700, or if you don't know your scores but know your credit reports list negative items, then it's time to start rebuilding your credit.

Don't be surprised if you discover that the credit scores from each of the three agencies are different. In reality, all three of the bureaus offer FICO credit scores using the same formula. The difference in these scores is largely because the bureaus don't necessarily all share the same data. For example, one bureau may list more accounts for you than another. Because these differences are common, it may be beneficial to pull and examine your credit reports from all three bureaus before you apply for a mortgage loan.

How Can I Fix Errors on my Credit Report?

There are generally two types of errors you might see on your credit reports:

Inaccurate information which might include errors with your personal information or account information that is not yours. For example, if your credit report reflects a store credit card you know you never opened, then that error needs to be fixed immediately. It could be a data mix-up, or it could be a sign of identity theft.

Accurate information that should have already expired from your report.

One study states that 79% of credit reports reviewed had some form of error in them.

The Internet has made the process of fixing errors convenient, and the government has regulated the process. When you dispute information on your credit report, the reporting agencies are required to investigate the dispute in a timely fashion. If they find that your dispute is legitimate, or if they are unable to verify the item one way or the other, they must remove said item from your credit report.

Hiring a credit repair company to handle this process for you isn't recommended. They generally charge you a large amount to do what you can easily do yourself.

What Can I Do to Improve My Credit?

Items that hurt your credit score are:

Bankruptcy
Outstanding (unpaid) debts
Late payments
Credit card balances near the credit limit on those cards
Liens (both outstanding and paid)

Depending on what it is, negative information can stay on your credit report for seven to ten years. A bankruptcy filing must come off after 10 years. All other information including civil suits, judgments, collection accounts, and any other adverse items come off after 7 years from the date of delinquency. It's possible for these items to last longer than the law allows, so it's important to review your reports once each year to make sure items are removed when they are supposed to be.

To maintain good credit or improve bad credit, follow these tips:

Don't close accounts. Having too many open accounts can hurt your score, but once you've opened the accounts, you can't repair your credit report by closing the account. When you close accounts, your total available credit shrinks. Closing older accounts can also make your credit history seem younger than it actually is.
If you want to apply for credit, do so in a fairly short period of time. The FICO score treats multiple inquiries in a 45-day period as just one inquiry and ignores all inquiries made within 30 days prior to the day the score is computed.
Correct all errors on all three reports.
Pay all your bills on time.
Be consistent in paying down your debt.
Apply for credit sparingly.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 17, 2010

Don’t Confuse Real Estate Agents with REALTORS®

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 17, 2010

It’s a common misunderstanding. More often than not, people use the term REALTOR® in reference to real estate agents everywhere. I don’t mind the reference, but would like to clarify the difference between a REALTOR® and a real estate agent to give credit where credit is due. It’s important to work with real estate sales associated you can trust and those with the coveted REALTOR® designation have gone the extra mile to participate in a professional association intended to maintain professional standards in our industry.

In truth, sales associates should use the official designation of REALTOR® only when they have met standards outlined by the National Association of Realtors.

We want you to know that all of our sales associates pride themselves on striving for the professional distinction of being REALTORS®. We think you’ll experience the difference in our professionalism, knowledge and vast networks as a result of our participation in the NAR.

What is the National Association of REALTORS®?

The National Association of REALTORS® is North America’s largest trade association. As of November 2008, it represented more than 1.2 million members. The organization offers institutes, societies, and councils for its REALTORS® its members are heavily involved in every aspect of the residential and commercial real estate industry.

Because the National Association of REALTORS® is a self-regulating entity, its members are sworn to adhere to a very strict code of ethics and standards of practice. Membership affords an opportunity for a wide network of professionals who facilitate each others’ professional development. The National Association of REALTORS® collectively conducts research, the results of which are made available to each member REALTOR®.

The NAR is an historic organization founded in 1908. It began with 120 members. It’s made up of residential and commercial REALTORS® who are:

brokers
salespeople
property managers
appraisers
counselors
and more

NAR members participate in more than 1,700 local associations and boards. The organization claims 54 state and territory associations of REALTORS®

The National Association of REALTORS® is a powerful entity when it comes to dealing with government and lawmakers. NAR is committed to “the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property,” according to the NAR’s Website.

The point I’m trying to make here is that it’s important to identify the professional standards of any Realtor in our area or anywhere you plan to entrust legal property transactions to a professional real estate associate. We hold our agents to the highest standards. We can’t wait to be of service to you whether you’re buying or selling commercial, residential, or investment property. Contact us today!

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009

If There’s One Thing We’ve Learned Here, It’s ‘Only Buy What You Can Afford’

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 14, 2010

As many Americans rearrange their lives due to the threat or execution of home foreclosure, most Americans are forced to take a better look at our financial practices.

Banks are holding tighter to their money. Lenders are looking closer at borrowers’ credit histories, assets, employment histories and overall ability to repay debt. The federal government is doing the same thing to banks. We’re all checking each other out. Now is the time for you to evaluate your own financial scenario and decide just what you can really afford to buy.

Take off the rose-colored glasses. Let’s look at this realistically. Why not let us help you analyze your current financial situation? We’ll help you determine just how much you can afford to pay for housing-related costs each month. We’ll also help you determine how much you should be willing to pay for a home. If you’re not quite ready, but know you want to buy a home in the future, we can help you take steps toward your next home purchase.

Even though homes are essentially on sale right now, this is no time to abandon all reason and take on a debt you can’t really afford. The real estate market - like every other financial market in the world - is fickle. we encourage only good, sound, sustainable investments for solid buyers.

How much home can you afford?

There are many different lending programs for homebuyers today. As the country goes through a recovery period, credit will be tight for awhile and a loan will be harder for some people to get. However, home loans are absolutely still available and lenders are eager to help people buy properties.

Check Your Credit

When you begin shopping for a home loan, check your credit report for any potential problem areas. Your ability to get a home loan and the interest rate you pay will be directly impacted by your credit score.

Federal law entitles you to one free credit report from each agency per year. Get your free reports at www.annualcreditreport.com or contact one of the following agencies:

Equifax: 1-877-576-5734; www.equifax.com
Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com/fraud
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com

Debt-to-Income Ratio Important

In general, lenders want to see a total 41 to 45 percent debt-to-income ratio including your housing expenses. Housing expenses include the cost of private mortgage insurance (PMI) if your down payment is less than 20 percent as well as taxes and homeowners insurance.

Make a list comparing your debt and income when you first start shopping for a home loan. How much do you think you can you comfortably afford to pay on a home loan? Never hide expenses that don’t show up on your credit report. False reporting when applying for a home loan could lead to foreclosure on your home loan. When researching the cost of your home loan, ask about:

required down payment
monthly loan payment
home loan term
type of home loan
interest rate and type of rate, fixed or variable
annual percentage rate taking into account points, broker fees and other credit charges
points quoted as a dollar amount instead of just the number of points
Fees including:

- home loan origination fees
- underwriting fees
- broker fees
- home loan transaction, settlement and closing costs

In order to calculate about how much home you can buy, visitour website’s handy Mortgage Calculator located on the full details page of each property listing. Try different scenarios to calculate and recalculate the total price you can afford to pay for a home.

We list homes in every price range. You can search for homes on our website right now. You can even set your own search criteria to ensure you are looking at all of the properties within your price range! We are here to help.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009

Natural Disaster Preparation: Will You Be Ready?

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 11, 2010

Throughout history, natural disasters have wreaked havoc on families, homes, communities, and even entire nations. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), every state in the country has been hit by flooding, fires, or destructive high winds. There are also 41 states that have a significant earthquake hazard.

Advanced planning and preparation can be the key to a quick response and a quick, safe recovery if you happen to face a natural disaster.

First Aid Supplies

In the case of a natural disaster, or any home emergency, it is important to have basic emergency and first aid supplies readily available, and every family member should know where these supplies are located and how to use them. These supplies should include:

Prescription and other OTC medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, anti-diarrhea medication, anti-nausea medication, cold medicine, throat lozenges, etc.
Flashlight with extra batteries
First aid instruction book
Blankets and sheets
Antibiotic ointment
Sterile gauze pads
Assorted bandages
Small, sharp scissors
Instant ice pack
Adhesive tape
Absorbent cotton balls
Antibacterial soap
Water purification tablets
Small bottle of bleach
Multipurpose knife/tool
Large and small plastic bags

These items should be stored in a durable, waterproof container. Update items annually as some, such as medications, may expire.

Develop a Family Emergency Plan

Your family members should all be prepared to respond to a natural disaster. Take time to discuss and practice for emergency situations. Teach responsible family members how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity. Make sure your children know how to safely exit your home. Designate a gathering place near your home as well as another meeting place in the occasion that you are separated.

Knowledge of first aid procedures can be invaluable. The Red Cross chapter in your community can assist you in finding a helpful class for your family. FEMA also has some material to assist children in learning more about disaster preparedness.

Preparing your Home

Consult your local building authority for the base flood elevation in your area, and determine whether your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Secure large appliances, such as your refrigerator and water heater, with flexible cable, braided wire, or metal strapping to keep them from falling over.
Every home should have an ABC-rated fire extinguisher.
Anchor propane tanks and gas cylinders.
Make sure your house number is visible from the street in case emergency personnel need to find your home. Some cities offer a program to paint your house number on the curb for a small fee. The best place for your house number is near the front door or slightly above eye level and lit by a light.
Permanent shutters are the best protection for high winds. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels.
Roofs can be the first to go in severe storms. Simple metal straps can keep roof rafters tied to the top wall of the house and prevent uplift during high winds.
Foundation bolts cost around $2 each and can save thousands of dollars worth of damage if high winds, floods, or earthquakes try to force a house off its foundation.
Keep important records, such as mortgage papers, medical records, insurance policies, birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, stock and bond certificates, tax records, an inventory of your assets and personal items, and other vital documents in one central location where they can easily be transported if you must leave the area quickly. Keep all papers in a water- and fire-proof container.
Check your homeowner's insurance coverage. Floods are not covered by homeowner's insurance policies. However, flood insurance is available through the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program.
Make food storage a priority. Have at least a five-day supply of food and water for each family member on hand. Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers, and replace it as necessary. Food should be non-perishable goods such as canned or sealed-package items.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Aug 9, 2010

Thinking about Going Green? Try Painting Your Roof White

Prudential River Towns Real Estate

Posted by Prudential River Towns Real Estate on Aug 8, 2010

Many homeowners are “going green” by making changes to their homes and property that will help the environment. The movement is a huge one and the US is looking to other countries for information and advice to improve global environmental conditions.

Color Your World -- Or at Least Your Roof -- White

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu and the Obama administration recommends painting flat roofs white. What? No. He’s not just going for a lighter look and feel here, he says energy-reflecting white will actually help improve the environment when combined with other energy-saving measures.

Chu’s suggestion, apparently backed by the Obama camp, came during a climate change symposium in London where the Nobel laureate in physics called for a “new revolution” according to a London AFP report. AFP is a world-wide news agency. Chu doesn’t suggest painting flat roofs white will change the world. He does maintain that making roads and roofs lighter colors will significantly decrease energy use by keeping buildings cooler. White paint also reflects sunlight away from the earth.

Chu was exploring climate change options and scientists are on board with his plan. Some are developing “cool colors” that look normal to the human eye, but reflect heat like light colors even when they appear to be darker.

Come on. How much difference could white rooftops really make? Chu said the measure would have the equivalent effect of taking every car in the world off the road for 11 years.

Now that’s something to think about.

Why Go Green?

The obvious answer is to improve the environment and preserve a little something for posterity. Another answer is because it’s the cool thing to do. But, please, don’t negate the fact that going green can actually improve your property value.

Environmental consciousness is an important issue in today’s real estate market. Buyers, particularly of higher-priced real estate, are looking for properties that encourage environmental harmony.

Any energy saving measures including solar panels and solar energy are a plus. Organic gardens, recycling and efficient use of space and materials is also an added attraction for green conscious buyers.

Contact me today- I have many ideas that make help you make your home green and appealing to the market of environmentalists out there working to improve our planet, including you and me.

Originally authored by Ashley Smith on Jun 3, 2009