Linnea Jones – Realtor

Windermere Real Estate / Northeast, Inc.

Free Space!

January 13, 2010 No comments

Frugality is quite in vogue now. Instead of living in McMansions, Americans are doing more with less these days. As much as I would love to help you and your friends ‘up-size’ to a larger home to keep all your stuff I’m happy to help you make the most of your current home.

At the turn of the New Year, I have been working on those piles of paper on my desk and all that stuff stored in my garage. My desk now looks much larger and my car actually fits in the garage! I have more room! In my more than 20 years as a Realtor I have seen lots of homes overtaken by clutter and useless stuff. It’s been my job to coach sellers through the task of consolidating and organizing to free up space. Buyers need to see what they are buying. I have some good tips for getting organized, getting back on track and reclaiming valuable square footage. I thought you might be interested so I am enclosing a checklist for gaining back some square footage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Free Square Footage

  Eliminate

  • Start with the big items. Try to gain as much space as quickly as possible. It will help you mentally and will make room to do the sorting. Borrow a pickup for a dump run and try to fill it. Move quickly; cover what you have loaded so you are not tempted to take it back out. Don’t double think.
  • If you have stuff for Goodwill separate it and take it right away. Don’t be afraid to make multiple trips, saving up for a trip was probably what started it all anyway.
  • Turn items into cash by using Craig’s List, E-bay, consignment stores, etc.
  • If you have a nick-nack collection consider taking photos of your precious prizes and store the real thing for safety and space saving.
Compact & Consolidate
  • Place like items together first; this will help with organization later.
  • Use nesting to make the most use of storage space. A picnic cooler could contain all of your picnic items, napkins, cups, tablecloths, etc. saving lots of space.
  • Eliminate duplicate items.
  • Use Space Bags (the ones you vacuum the air out of). They fit nicely under beds.
  • Get your photos scanned. Best to have this done professionally. Provide your own blank CD’s and save some money.
Organize
  • Use clear storage containers and label them well so you can stack ‘em high. Avoid using shelving as too much space is wasted.
  • Consider using an online organizer tool like www.Springpad.com. Here you can store your favorite recipes and get rid of those bulky recipe books.
  • Have trouble with organizing your file cabinet and remembering where you put stuff? Take a look at www.thefileharmonic.com.
  • If you need a professional organizer call me for a great referral.
Scan & Shred
  • Most newer all-in-one printers can quickly scan those copies of receipts and important papers into your computer freeing up all that space occupied by file boxes. Shred and recycle when done.
  • The IRS allows electronic record keeping.
  • If you don’t have a shredder… Don’t miss our shredding party (see below).
Store
  • Consider a storage unit. Most items need to be in heated storage (60F) to prevent mildew.
  • For electronic data, skip saving to CD’s which have a shelf life, a decade from now the data may be gone. Instead consider using online storage for all your files. You can get 2GB free from www.Mozy.com.
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Get your mind in the gutter!

February 5, 2009 No comments

On our recent trip to New Orleans to visit my daughter, we noticed that most homes don’t have gutter systems. After thinking about it a bit we realized that all rain is not the same. In New Orleans they get rains that come for about an hour followed by a bit of wind. With the warmer temperatures everything dries out right away. In the beautiful Northwest however we get more persistent rains and cooler temps and can’t relate to things drying out. So we have gutter systems. As I look around I also see lots of homes with poorly maintained gutter systems. This can lead to expensive decay and building damage.

We are bombarded with TV, radio and print ads for all kinds of gutter systems and gutter caps. There is so much hype to sort through I thought I would offer the attached information about gutters and gutter systems.

If you don’t like ladders and need a referral to a good gutter professional, feel free to give me a call.

425-765-2211

 

 

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Gutterology

The purpose of a gutter system is to properly route water from a roof and away from a building. A good gutter system includes proper drainage from the home either in the form of trenches, slopes or underground piping. A failed gutter system can shorten the life of the entire structure. Water can enter basements and living areas resulting in serious damage including mold. Gutter maintenance should not be overlooked. A single broken downspout can cause major flooding in a crawlspace from just one storm.

Maintenance. Most gutter systems will require periodic repair and cleaning. At least twice per year; early spring and late fall. Check after every major storm.r Remove all debris from the roof then the gutters, downspouts and attached piping. This is usually done with ladders, buckets and … the human hand.

    • Check all fasteners and secure as needed. For gutter brackets with spikes that are loose, try re-striking the spike to see if it will secure (not too hard as it can bend the gutter), if not, move the spike and ferrule to another location and re-install. Another option is to purchase brackets or hangers from the hardware store.
    • Stand back and look at each section of gutter, there should be a gentle slope toward the downspouts without any waves or twists.
    • You should not see daylight between the gutter and the roof edge. If you do, install an “L” flashing between the roof edge and the gutter.
    • On new installations check where each spike is installed to make sure it is centered on the rafter tails and does not split out on an edge. After the first rain, check the system for low spots and puddling. Excess puddling will add weight and over time cause the gutter to pull loose.
    • Check the downspouts to confirm they move water away from the house, install splash blocks if necessary
    • Install drop-out screens to help prevent debris from entering a closed drainage system through a downspout. Cleaning an underground piping system may require the services of a plumber.

Professional cleaning. This is a job that can be done by unskilled laborers with a ladder and is often an extended service offered by window cleaners. Just remember that window cleaners may not be the best option if the system needs repair. A good gutter cleaning and repair company will set you up on a schedule to complete these tasks and save you the agony of the work. A typical home will cost between $150 -$250 per visit. If you hire someone make certain they have the proper licenses and insurance. If you have a family member do the work make sure they use caution (or they are from the ‘other’ side of the family).

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Winter Preparedness – remember winter 2008-2009?

January 1, 2009 No comments

 

Winter 2008 a  winter to remember! We’ve had impressive snows and bone chilling cold … and winter has just begun. Keeping safe and getting around in winter conditions will likely be a recurring theme for the next few months so its time to be as prepared as possible. To this end I have attached a checklist of items to do while the weather and stores cooperate.

Our family spent Christmas day snowbound & without power, but it didn’t spoil our day. Our son and his family braved the horrible roads and actually made it to the end of the driveway to our house. We shared soup and sandwiches by candlelight for Christmas dinner. We enjoyed playing games that weren’t electronic and didn’t have the distractions of football games. Our son showed us how to make toast with a lighter (didn’t work very well). Adverse times seem to bring people together, they help us focus on what is truly important and give us lasting memories.

Here is a checklist to help get ready for the winter cold.

 

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Winter Preparedness

CHECKLIST

For the House

  • Winterize all exterior faucets.
  • Drain the sprinkler system.
  • Locate the water shut-off for the house, both in the house and at the street. Keep a shut-off wrench handy.
  • Clean the gutters and check them to be sure they will handle snow loads.
  • Get a snow shovel.
  • Get de-icer or sand for the walkways.
  • Check for loose limbs on trees near or over the house.
  • Check electrical panel and make sure labels on circuits are accurate so you can shut off selected circuits. Especially if you have a generator.
  • Get enough candles, batteries & flashlights. Don’t forget matches & firewood.
  • Stock up on food that can be prepared easily without heat. Only use camp stoves outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Remove excess snow from ornamental trees and shrubs.

For the Car

  • Check tire pressure.
  • Check fluids.
  • Get a windshield scraper.
  • Get extra windshield wiper fluid.
  • Put warm clothing, gloves & blankets in the car.
  • Get chains. Do a dry run to test and improve your skills.
  • Carry bags of sand in the trunk for traction (on rear-wheeled cars) and use on the road. Kitty litter works well too but lacks the added weight for traction.
  • Keep a short handled shovel in the trunk.
  • Keep some snack food and water in the car.
  • Keep a cell phone charger in the car.

If you have a generator (consider getting one)

  • Test to be sure you are familiar with its functions and be sure it works.
  • Make sure it is maintained and has enough oil.
  • Get extra gas cans and gas.
  • Make an operational checklist and place it by the generator.
  • Make sure all circuits connected to the generator are protected by a surge suppressor.
  • Have extra extension cords if your generator does not power the whole house.
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