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Local Reuse
Are you done with that? One man’s trash is another’s treasure. If you’re considering pitching something that just needs a little refurbishing, then post it on Apple’s Local Reuse. It’s like Craigslist for items that need a little refining. Prolong the life of used microwaves, couches that need reupholstered and even car bumpers by donating them to this inventory of inexpensive pieces. The EPA estimates that in 2006, citizens across the United States sent 12.5 million tons of reusable items to the landfill. As it continues to catch on among iPod users, Local Reuse is a great option that can help lower this tonnage.
Store Firewood at Least 30 Feet Away from the House
January is a great month for building a fire, and retreating from harsh winter weather. When it comes to wood-burning fires, be sure to store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home. Why store firewood away from the house? Firewood is often home to small wood-eating insects that can do significant damage to your home. If you want to avoid termites and other small bugs, don’t stack firewood next to your house. Instead, the best way to store firewood is by stacking it with the bark facing upwards. It’s also helpful to stack it on a palette to keep the wood from absorbing moisture from the ground, and so air can circulate better. Finally, cover the pile with a tarp—canvas or plastic works best.
Financial Benefits of Natural Lighting
Taking advantage of natural lighting in your home is vital to saving energy. Here are some simple ways to capture natural light in your home.
 | Install skylights—preferably double-glazed skylights | | | Display window curtains with sheer or light fabric | | | Place trees in areas that won’t block natural sunlight from filtering through windows and skylights. |
When natural lighting isn’t an option, here are some guidelines for indoor lighting.
| | Opt for compact fluorescent light bulbs | | | Turn off lights when you leave a room | | | Install task lighting, or a small lamp instead of using big overhead lights. |
For more information on how you can use natural lighting not only to cut down on energy bills, but to also create a healthier environment, contact your local agent today!
Columbus Tops Multiple Forbes Lists
Forbes.com is famous for compiling lists of the best of the best cities throughout the states. This year Columbus, Ohio has made its mark on three of those lists as the top Up-And-Coming Tech City, one of the Best Places to Grow Old, and Columbus’ Delaware county made the Best Places to Get Ahead list. Columbus offers a diverse mix of all ages. The Ohio State University’s main campus is seconds away from downtown—filling the city with young professionals. At the same time, there are an abundance of empty nesters who are seeking the city for its low cost of living. In addition, community neighborhoods, like German, Italian and Victorian villages, attract families. With a relatively low cost of living, affordable housing and a 4.5% inflation rate, Columbus, Ohio allows you to stretch your dollar farther than other growing cities. And thanks to downtown revitalization projects, more people are migrating from the suburbs to the city. Columbus is a walkable capital with tons of entertainment, restaurants, bars, shops and jobs intertwined throughout the city. So keep up the good work Columbus. We love seeing you prosper!
There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Research
Experts agree that if you’re interested in purchasing a foreclosed home, it’s important to do research on foreclosed homes in the area as well as the foreclosure process. Start by searching public records for a lis pendens, also known as a “lawsuit pending”. This is where you can begin to follow the long foreclosure process. It’s also important to research foreclosure methods and procedures since it varies from state to state. Florida, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania all require judicial foreclosures--when a lender takes a borrower to court. In other states, the foreclosure process can take place outside the court. For information on your specific state, check out United States Foreclosure Laws. Most importantly, consult a real estate professional on the best course of action when it comes to purchasing a foreclosed home.
Best Salt Options for Winter Weather
Pet-Friendly Options
For pet lovers and those interested in an eco-friendly snow removal option, look for a bag of calcium magnesium acetate or potassium chloride. You can find these in the garden section of your local home supply store. Remember, winter salt can be tough on vegetation—killing roots and causing dead spots on your lawn. It can be equally as tough on pets that roam outdoors in the winter.Least Expensive Salt
When it comes down to it, one of the least expensive and effective ways to melt ice and snow is by distributing sodium chloride, also known as rock salt, on your sidewalks and driveways. This option quickly melts snow and combats re-icing. It works well on both concrete as well as asphalt and is fairly popular as far as snow removal goes. The one downfall of standard rock salt is that it has a tendency to be corrosive if distributed in large quantities. Acts as a Fertilizer
If you’re searching for a snow and ice removal product that also acts as fertilizer, purchase an ammonium sulfate or a urea. These both work well for really low temperatures, but have a tendency to be more corrosive to pavement. For more information on how you can achieve curb appeal by keeping your pavement dry during winter weather, contact one of our knowledgeable agents today!
What is the First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit?
The nation’s real estate market is on the brink of slow, but steady improvement! In an attempt to propel the market back to regular activity, the government has issued a tax credit that will act as a catalyst for housing recovery. And everything starts with the first-time homebuyer!The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 issued a First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit for individuals who have purchased or plan on purchasing a home between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Tax credits have been an incentive for first-time Washington, D.C. homebuyers for a while, but this stimulus is now being offered nationwide. In terms of eligibility, the NAR states, “If you (and your spouse, if married) have not owned your principle residence for a 3-year period before your purchase, and you have never taken advantage of the DC first-time homebuyer credit, you qualify as a first-time homebuyer.” The Homebuyer Tax Credit is fairly substantial—it’s equal to 10% of the purchase price of your home up to $7,500. As a tax credit, this amount will be deducted from the total amount of taxes you owe. Acting as something similar to an interest-free loan, this credit is expected to be repaid over a set period of time. For more information on the Homebuyer Tax Credit, click here. If you’re interested in participating in this limited-time program, contact one of our certified agents today!
What’s the Worth of the ENERGY STAR Label?
Most of us recognize the ENERGY STAR symbol— that blue badge with the star and the script “energy”—on our dishwashers, computers and other household appliances. It’s a symbol that represents eco-friendly living, energy savings and healthier pocketbooks. It’s meant to recognize the finest energy saving products in over 50 different categories—the topnotch performers. ENERGY STAR standards haven’t intensified much since its advent in 1992. According to a recent “Business Week” article, “the coveted logo should ideally appear on dishwashers, refrigerators, and other appliances that score in the top 25% for energy efficiency in their categories. But in 2007 some 60% of all dishwasher models on the market qualified, the [Department of Energy] says.” It’s a happy problem, really. We’ve come a long way since 1992 in terms of technology and efficiency. According to the same “Business Week” article referenced above, “[The ENERGY STAR] efficiency standard has helped lower the nation's utility bills by $61 billion over the past five years, according to the Web site EnergyStar.gov. That translates to a reduction of greenhouse gases equal to taking half the country's vehicles off the roads for one year.” So if you are interested in creating a more eco-friendly home—which in turn decreases energy bills and increases the value of your home—then consider making ENERGY STAR a brand in your household.
Grove City Winter Lights Christmas Celebration
This Friday, December 5, Grove City is hosting its annual Winter Lights Christmas Celebration! Bring your friends and family to this year’s assortment of seasonal festivities including:
| | Ice sculpture carvings | | | Santa Claus visits | | | A Christmas parade | | | Horse-drawn carriage rides | | | Choir performances | | | A ceremonial tree lighting |
Food, toys and other donations are being collected for the Grove City Food Pantry and the Jackson Township Fire Department’s Toys for Kids program. Proceeds from $5 pictures with Santa benefit Children’s Hospital. For more information about the event, check out Winter Lights Christmas Celebration.
The Grove City Christmas Holiday Tour
Looking for a fun activity that benefits an important cause? Then don’t miss the Grove City Christmas Home Tour on Saturday, December 6, 2008. Travel around the Grove City area exploring unbelievable holiday decorations, and interacting with members in the community. Homes and other locations participating in the tour will be open from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Dec. 6. If you’re in the Grove City area, this is one holiday event you don’t want to miss. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Grove City Emergency Services and the Food Pantry. The cost of the tour is $8, and tickets can be purchased at Sommer House Gallery at 4038 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio. For more information, check out Grove City’s Calendar of Events.
Thanksgiving Fun Facts
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, as well to catch up with loved ones during dinner table conversation. This Thanksgiving, bring some fun facts about the Thanksgiving holiday that are sure to impress friends and family.
| | Around 280 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving. | | | Fifty percent of Americans put the stuffing inside the turkey. | | | Twenty percent of cranberries eaten are eaten on Thanksgiving. | | | More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving. | | | Thanksgiving was first declared a National Day in 1789 by George Washington. | | | Thomas Jefferson mocked the idea of having Thanksgiving. | | | Macy’s is the second largest helium consumer in the world due to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The largest consumer is the United States government. |
Why Relocate to the Columbus Area?
Are you considering relocation to the Columbus area? Columbus boasts selling points for all demographics. As the 15th largest city in the United States with 60 percent of the U.S. population within 600 miles of it, the following are just a few of the reasons why Columbus is such a great place for business, singles and much more.
| | Money magazine recently called Columbus the “Eighth Best City to Live.” | | | Columbus is home to 15 Fortune 1000 headquarters | | | According to Forbes, Columbus is ranked No. 1 among the “Top 10 Up-and-Coming Tech Cities.” | | | Forbes also calls Columbus “One of the top 200 Best Places for Business and Careers." | | | BET.com calls Columbus the “second best city in the nation for African American families.” | | | According fDi magazine, Columbus is a top "City of the Future" for international investment.” | | | Columbus is the “Eleventh Best City for Singles,” according to Forbes. | | | The U.S. Census Bureau states that Columbus has the “Top 10 Shortest Commute Time[s] Among Major Cities in the Country. |
For more information on all the great things Columbus has to offer, contact us today. If you have questions about buying, selling or your relocation needs, our team of knowledgeable professionals would be happy to work with you.
What is Radon and Why Should I Test For It?
Whether you’re purchasing a new home or inspecting your current one, it’s important to understand the hazards of radon. Radon is a natural radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. It is also the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. All home inspection professionals are required to test for radon in a home. According to the U.S. EPA, an acceptable indoor level of radon is 4 pCi/L. If your radon home inspection comes back too high, the following are common methods to help reduce radon levels: soil suction (a method that draws radon under the house and releases it away from the house) sealing foundation cracks, increased under-floor ventilation and installing a radon sump pump. For more information on radon detection and removal, check out the EPA’s Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction. For more information on inspections in general, take a look at Real Living’s Home Inspection Guide.
Real Living HER Supports the Columbus Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
On December 6, 2008, central Ohioans will be bundling up and jingling all the way to the finish line of the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Run/Walk for Arthritis. Come join the Columbus community and the Real Living HER team for a 5K Run/Walk that raises money and awareness for the prevention, control and cure of Arthritis. Details on this upcoming event are as follows…
After the race, warm-up with a Max and Erma’s chili buffet, and hear Olympic gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, speak. Our goal this year is to raise $2,500 for the Arthritis Foundation, and to gather as big of a team as possible for the Run/Walk. Participants are encouraged to tie bells to their shoelaces and sport fun holiday costumes for the event.If you’re interested in participating, contact your local Real Living HER agent or sign up on the Real Living HER team’s Web page.
Downtown Columbus Lazarus Building Boasts Gold-Level LEED Certification
Sustainable architecture has been a newsworthy topic in Columbus over the past few years with the emergence of the Gold-level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Lazarus building. This nationally recognized LEED project marks Columbus as one of the pioneering cities for the green building rating system. LEED focuses on five areas in particular— sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Some of the environmental improvements to the building include:
| | Rainwater harvesting systems | | | A recycled glass floor | | | Energy-efficient plumbing and windows | | | The use of non-toxic carpeting, paint, sealants, etc. |
The recent Lazarus venture is spearheading a revitalization campaign to preserve and restore historic downtown Columbus. Reconstruction of this massive space commenced in 2004, and it now hosts three major tenants. At the end of October 2008, the bridge connecting City Center and the Lazarus building was finally demolished. The next step in the development of the Lazarus building is new street-level storefronts. LEED certification is a great option for residential as well as commercial real estate. For more information on how you can improve the resale value of your home by achieving LEED certification, contact us today.
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