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Before Painting Your Chattanooga Home For Sale

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Nothing makes a Chattanooga home for sale look better than a new coat of paint.  Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting the exterior of their home, and hire someone else to do it.  But, you can do it yourself, with these easy steps:

Getting Your House Ready to Paint

The first thing that you’ll need to do is inspect the house.  Look at all the walls, under the eaves and around the doorframe and windows.  Check for peeling paint, mildew and rough surfaces.

You’ll need to gather a few tools before getting to the repairs and putting your Chattanooga home up for sale:

  • Power-washer
  • 2-3” inch putty knife
  • 2-3” inch pull scraper
  • Wire brush
  • Sander
  • Chlorine bleach

Preparing the Surface

Power-wash the walls so you’ll have a clean surface.  You don’t need to use detergents; plain ol’ water works the best.

The putty knife and the wire brush remove problems where paint has peeled, blistered or wrinkled.  Avoid gouging the surface by holding the putty knife perpendicular to the wall and using moderate force.

The pull scraper is for areas that won’t easily come clean.  It’s used the same way as the putty knife, but it has a sharp blade attached that quickly gets through old paint.  The walls will need to be sanded smooth after you finish this step.

For small spots, a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block works just fine.  An electric sander is best for large areas; it’ll save you time and energy.

Removing Mildew

Mildew is a dark patch of fungus, like a dirty spot, often found on a damp, shady spot in your house.  If you aren’t sure it’s mildew, put a few drops of chlorine bleach on it.  If the spot fades away, you know you have a mildew problem.

Mildew shows through new paint, so you’ll need to get rid of it before you start painting.  A simple mix of chlorine bleach will kill it quickly.

All you have to do now is pick out a paint color and wait for the right weather to paint.  Soon you’ll be ready to put up your Chattanooga home for sale.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, I can help.  Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home for sale

Links:

Painting the exterior of their home:

http://www.house-painting-info.com/exterior-painting.html

Mildew

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infroo.html

Power-wash:

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/house-siding-power-pressure-wash.html

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How to Make the Kitchen in My Chattanooga Home More Energy Efficient

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The kitchen in your Chattanooga home offers multiple ways to improve energy efficiency.  It can be challenging to have versatility, style, comfort and design while still being energy efficient.  The good news is that small changes can be easy to make, without breaking your redecorating budget.

  • Use the appropriate cooking utensils in your kitchen.  Most electric stoves are equipped with two small burners, and two large ones.  Make sure that you are using your small pans on the small burners, and large pans on the larger burners.  Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy, adds heat to kitchen, and may cause the handles to warp on the pans if they become too hot.  Place lids on your pots and pans when they are on the stove, this will conserve the heat and decrease the workload on your cooling system.
  • Repair dripping sink faucets in the kitchen.  You can replace the faucet in your Chattanooga home inexpensively.  A few drips on a constant basis adds up to gallons of wasted water.  Replacing the faucet can substantially decrease the amount of water you use.
  • Run the dishwasher only when it’s full.  There are several ways to save energy with the dishwasher.  Make sure that the appliance itself is energy efficient.  Next, scrape the dishes before you load them.  This may allow you to set the wash cycle to a light or normal wash, instead of a heavy wash cycle.  Set the drying cycle to air dry.  Air-dry cycles decrease the amount of heat the appliance creates.  These tips will save a lot of water and energy.

It’s easier than you may think to update the kitchen in your Chattanooga home using green appliances and energy-saving methods.  Depending on what you buy, you may also qualify for a federal tax credit for energy efficiency.

Want to buy an energy-efficient home?  Call me now at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home

Links:

Repair dripping sink faucets – http://www.ehow.com/how_4880874_fix-dripping-kitchen-faucet.html

Dishwasher – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=dishwash.pr_dishwashers

Federal tax credit for energy efficiency – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

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Stay Safe When Working With Electricity In Your Chattanooga Home

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Chances are you’ll have to work with electricity in your Chattanooga home at least once.  You might have to replace a broken ceiling fan or install a garbage disposal.  Always keep these things in mind when with working with electricity:

  • Turn off the power at the main panel box.  If you only flip off the switch, you’re in danger of receiving an electrical shock that could prove fatal.
  • Use a voltmeter to test the wires after you shut off the power.
  • Thoroughly read all the instructions, including the safety information, that come with the item you’re going to install.
  • Wear protective equipment like goggles and use only materials intended specifically for that purpose.
  • Have an inspector out to look at your work.  It’s better to err on the side of caution with electricity.  For some projects, you may need to hire a licensed electrician.

After you finish the project, it’s a good time to inspect the electrical system in your Chattanooga home for safety.  You’ll want to look it over each time the seasons change to ensure that the system is in good working order.

  • Look for any frayed or discolored wiring on the cords to your electrical appliances.  If you see anything unusual, you may need to call an electrician to further evaluate the situation.
  • Inspect your home’s power outlets for cracks or loose plates.
  • Make sure that extension cords and other plug-ins aren’t overloading the outlet.
  • Always run extension cords along the side of the wall, taking care not to place the cord across a doorway, causing a walking hazard.
  • Keep all heat-producing appliances, like lamps, away from combustible materials like drapes.

You can work with electricity safely by following these guidelines.  Always consult a professional Electrician if you are uncomfortable with the work.

Get more home maintenance tips like this delivered free to your email inbox by subscribing to this blog.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home

Links:
work with electricity: http://www.ehow.com/how_2076997_work-safely-electricity.html

Voltmeter: http://www.ehow.com/how_16767_voltmeter.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

Combustible materials: http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/combustible.html

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How to Improve the Insulation of Your Chattanooga Home

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

We’re all looking for ways to cut costs in our Chattanooga homes.  One of the most efficient ways to save money is to insulate.  There are two simple ways to insulate your home that you may not have thought of before.  Here is the low down on each of them:

Add Weatherstripping

You may be familiar with weatherstripping on your car, but have you ever thought about weather-stripping your house?  It comes in many different sizes, so you can easily choose the right kind for your Chattanooga homes.  Pre-weather stripped doors are now sold in many home improvement stores.

When choosing which weather stripping to buy, consider the amount of friction that it will need to stand up to.  It would be better to use vinyl weatherstripping in high traffic areas. You could use felt weather stripping to protect areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear.

Clean and dry the area before applying the weatherstripping in one long strip.  When installing the weatherstripping to doors, make sure that the edges compress slightly when closing the door.  Install around each of the windows and doors to your house.  It will keep the cold air out, and help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Insulate Your Water Heater

Another way to conserve energy is to insulate your water heater.  A water heater jacket is one of the most inexpensive ways to protect from heat loss.  Look for an insulating jacket that has a rating of at least R-8.  You can buy them pre-cut for easy installation.  Most water heater jackets are held in place with belts provided in the installation kit.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions before you set the temperature on the water heater.  A temperature setting that’s too high can cause the wiring to overheat.

These insulation tips are easy to do in your spare time.  You can save a lot of money on your utility bills by preventing energy loss and insulating your Chattanooga homes.

Want to buy a well-insulated, energy-efficient home?  I can help.  Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at tclose@realtycenter.com .

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga homes

Links:

Weatherstripping: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11280

Vinyl weatherstripping:

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/weatherstripping-tubular-vinyl.html

Water heater jacket:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/HomeEnergyEfficient.html

Chattanooga insulation Unlimited:

http://www.insulationunlimited.com/

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Costs for Newly Constructed Homes for Sale in Chattanooga Area May Rise

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Not too long ago the “Greening of America” was just an idea.  Now, it’s a government mandate.  The latest requirements for new construction may just cause the cost of new homes for sale in the Chattanooga area and around the nation to rise.

 

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new stormwater management requirements for new construction.  These new requirements have the National Home Builder’s Association (NAHB) up in arms. In a news release posted on the NAHB website, the Chairman said the new housing regulations are unrealistic.

 

It all comes down to stormwater. When it rains, water hits the ground and seeps into it. In most cases, that water is absorbed and filtered by the ground, and then replenishes the world’s water supply. Not so in developed areas, where pavement and roofing, among other man-made surfaces, prevent the water from being absorbed.

 

The remaining water becomes runoff, which, according to the EPA, damages the infrastructure of surrounding development, causes downstream flooding and bank erosion. In addition, the water carries pollutants, which are carried into streams and water supplies. The new regulations have a strict limit on pollutants in stormwater, as well as requiring that the stormwater has little to no soil or sediment in it.

 

While less pollution is a fantastic idea, NAHB says something is missing – such as understanding soil differences. Certain types of soil absorb water better, reducing the amount of run off, while other types of soil produce a naturally high amount of sediment. The cost for homebuilders to meet these regulations can be expensive – an expense that will be passed on to those looking for newly built homes for sale in Chattanooga.

 

The EPA has done some wonderful things for environmental protection, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), that already affect construction costs. However, for newly built homes for sale in Chattanooga, this new stormwater requirement may end up not only being impossible to keep but impossible to pay for.

 

If you’re looking for new home construction that meets all necessary requirements, I can help. Call me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com  for more information.

 

Keyword/Tag:  Homes for sale in Chattanooga area

 

Links:

New storm water management requirements for new construction

http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/stormwater/index.htm

 

new housing regulations are unrealistic

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=148&newsID=10074

 

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/rcra.html

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Keep Your Chattanooga Home Clean the Green Way

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Lots of people think about ways to save the environment in a physical manner such as changing light bulbs from incandescent to florescent and recycling, but many drop the ball when it comes to cleaning their Chattanooga home. Keeping your home clean in a way that is healthy to you, your family, and the environment just takes a little extra thought and soon becomes second nature.

Danger, Danger

Get rid of any products under your sink, in your bathroom, or your cleaning closet that have danger cautions.  If they are bad for you, they are probably bad for the environment too, and why have such hazardous materials in your Chattanooga home?

Labels that have cautions such as poison, hazard, and danger on them are not only bad to have around small children, the toxins leak into the air when you use them causing health problems for your family. They also leech into the environment when you use them and are hazardous for the environment.

Re-usable and Natural

Buy mop heads and sponges made from natural materials that are bio-degradable and replenishable. Check for recycled materials labels on paper towels, toilet paper, and other disposable objects so that you know those products are making the best use of production materials.

Conserve

Use as little water as possible when doing dishes by turning off the faucet while you are washing and only using running water when you are ready to rinse. Don’t just think about conservation when cleaning your home. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth as well for extra savings. Remove your shoes or put a rug by the entry doors of your home to help cut down the need to wash floors.

Bring in the Green

Bring nature into your Chattanooga home in the form of hanging and potted plants. Plants clean the air around you and take in harmful carbon dioxide in the air.

Want top buy a clean, green home?  Let me help.  Contact me today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com

Keyword/Tag:  Chattanooga Green home

LINKS:

Keeping your home clean: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278826/how_to_keep_your_house_clean_in_20.html?cat=7

Cleaning your home: http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/homestyle/07/27/wlb.rs.clean.plan/index.html

Hanging and potted plants: http://www.ehow.com/how_16881_grow-hanging-plants.html

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Should You Buy A Real Christmas Tree For Your Chattanooga Home?

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Few questions are more important this time of year than which Christmas tree you should buy for your Chattanooga home.  There are some things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect Christmas tree, here are just a few:

 

Real Or Artificial Tree?

Real Christmas trees require some care; if you’re planning to travel this holiday season, you may not want a live tree.  You must water the tree to make sure that it doesn’t lose its needles before Christmas day.  The live trees are not fire resistant, the dried out pine needles can get too hot from the lights and may burst into flame.

 

On the other hand, there isn’t any up-keep with an artificial Christmas tree, and many look quite realistic.  The plastic Christmas trees have an added bonus of being flame retardant.  Then, there’s the convenience of not having to go out in the cold weather to pick the tree out.

 

For those of you who can’t imagine Christmas without the pine needle smell, you can buy air fresheners that mimic the smell of fresh cut pine.  For some, an artificial tree is the best of both worlds.

 

How Big Is Too Much Tree?

Now that you’ve decided what kind of Christmas tree to buy, you have to find out how big a tree you can fit in your Chattanooga home.  It could be that the only thing limiting the size of your Christmas tree is your budget; in that case, your decision is easy. 

 

However, if you’re limited on space, you’ll need to decide the best place to put your tree first.

Try to think of how the area will “frame” your Christmas tree.  Consider how much traffic goes by the area and whether there will be enough room for the presents to stay safe. 

 

Break out the measuring tape so you don’t have to guess when you’re on the Christmas tree lot; trees look deceptively small on the lot.  Or, if you opted for the fake Christmas tree, you’ll know exactly which box to pick out; just look for the right size.

 If you are looking for a good deal on a live tree check out Signal Crest United Methodist Church on Signal Moutnain.

Want to buy a Chattanooga home that has space for a bigger tree?  I can help.  Give me a call today at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com

 

Keyword/Tag:  Chattanooga home

 

LINKS:

Christmas tree

http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/trees/featuredplants/ChristmasTreeOptions.aspx

 

Water the tree

http://www.ehow.com/how_2343113_care-christmas-tree.html

 

Artificial Christmas tree

http://pre-litartificialchristmastree.info/

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Waiting for Prices to Plummet on Homes for Sale in Chattanooga May Be a Mistake

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

If you’re looking at homes for sale in Chattanooga, want to buy a home and are waiting around for better prices, you might want to rethink your strategy.

 

If you’re a market watcher, soaking up the information overload across news media and Internet websites, you’re probably overwhelmed with confusion by now. Is the housing market getting better? Is it getting worse? Was there really, when it gets down to it, a housing bubble collapse? And, if so, who popped it?

 

First, the quick answers. Yes, the housing bubble collapsed, and everybody had a hand in popping it: the government, the lenders, the investors and the general public. Now the hard answers: it’s getting better – and worse.

 

The truth is that market predictors are all on the fence. With the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) giving first time homeowners some incentive to buy homes for sale in Chattanooga and elsewhere, there has been a steady increase of sales. However, once the tax credit deadline hits at the end of this month, the numbers are once again expected to drop.

 

Again, though, it’s better and worse. While the housing market is still dropping in some areas, such as the southeast in Mississippi, Alabama and so forth, there are definitely some strong markets in the country.

 

For instance, Boulder, Colorado holds 60% of the share of increasing home values. The average value is about $350,000, but there’s a limit in place on the amount of homes allowed in the area. In Binghamton, New York, the average value of a home is around $112,000. They also have a housing limit, which means a small supply, so prices probably aren’t going to plummet.

 

Just because this is a buyer’s market, doesn’t mean you’ll get the exact price you’re looking for. If you want to buy a home and you’re waiting around for the prices of homes to plummet into a “sweet deal,” make sure you don’t wait yourself into an expensive mistake.

 

Instead of checking market forecasts, potential homebuyers need to look at things the way we always should have. Do I want to buy a house? Can I afford one of the homes for sale in Chattanooga the way things are now? By researching, crunching numbers and answering the important questions, you’ll find the sweetest deal you could ever have: a wonderful house you can afford.

 

If you’re looking for a place to call your own, I can help. Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

 

Keyword/Tag:  Homes for sale in Chattanooga

 

Links:

ARRA

http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx

 

Strong markets

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/08/0811_strongest_housing_markets/1.htm

 

Can I afford one of the homes

http://www.hsh.com/calc-howmuch.html

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What Does It Mean To Go Green in Your Chattanooga Home Construction?

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Working to have a safe Chattanooga home environment is important to everyone.  We want our children to have safe water, clean air, fresh food and a healthy earth for their future.

One area where you might consider decreasing your impact on the environment is in your own home construction.  There are several ways you can have a safe and clean green home construction.

  • Find a “green” builder to help with your Chattanooga home.  Search the Internet for professional green builders.  It takes a special contractor to coordinate the elements of home building to ensure maximum energy savings.  Buying green materials is just one step toward having a green home.  To achieve ultimate efficiency, the different structural parts of plumbing, electricity, gas lines, and framework need to be coordinated.
  • Buy green materials from different vendors.  Shop around to ensure you are getting the best deal.  One vendor may sell stone at an exceptional price, but his timber may be overpriced.  Natural supplies can be in short availability in some areas.  Natural builders and vendors are working together to build a greener home construction industry, but it is still a business.  It is your responsibility as the homeowner to make sure that you are getting the best deal.
  • Continue the “green” theme with your home decorations and furnishings.  The construction of your green home saves resources and energy.  You can reduce your impact on the environment even further by using energy saving appliances, eco-friendly interior paint, and sustainable wood flooring in your home.

Building your Chattanooga home using green construction is a great start to a cleaner, brighter future. 

I can help you learn more about green home construction options.  Call me at 423-488-1882 or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga home

Links:

Professional green builders – http://www.builditgreen.org/

Green materials – http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/greenbuilding/Materials/

Furnishings – http://www.greenhome.com/

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How Do I Update My Chattanooga Home to Make It Greener?

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

There are many different ways to update your Chattanooga home to make it more eco-friendly. 

  • In your Chattanooga home, install ceiling fans and thermal windows.  Ceiling fans are low energy, cost effective ways of cooling your home without using the air conditioning.  Thermal windows offer insulation from outside heat and cold. 
  • Use foam caulking around any cable lines or cords leading to an exterior wall.  This will provide insulation against temperature changes.
  • In the winter (or in climates that are cool year round), use the natural sunlight during the day.  Opening the drapes and allowing the sun to come in decreases the amount of energy needed to light and heat your home.  Closing the drapes at night adds another layer of insulation against temperature changes.
  • Installing motion sensors on your light fixtures may help to decrease energy usage as well.  The lights will shut off automatically when not in use. 
  • Use a power strip that has an on/off switch.  These power strips can be used for video games, stereos, DVD players, and other items that are not in use on a constant basis.  Turning off the switch when they are not in use saves energy. 

If you’d like to buy an eco-friendly home, I can help.  Call me at 423-488-1882, or email me at travis@travisclosehomes.com  for more information.

Keyword/Tag: Chattanooga Green home

Links:

Thermal windows: http://www.thermalwindows.com/

Foam caulking:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing

Motion sensors: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-safety/security/question238.htm

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