While I cast out requests from many of my friends and acquaintances, I was most interested in the list that my father used for maintenance around our house. Once a month, my parents would have a “maintenance day” where they enlisted all of the children and we all worked hard on home maintenance tasks. Generally, my father focused on mechanical issues around the house and things that could present a danger, while my mother took the opportunity for a thorough scrubbing of the house.

I acquired both of their lists of tasks, along with several other similar lists from other homeowners, and prepared a master list of tasks to be done on a monthly basis.

Why do this? As a homeowner, your home is a tremendous investment, and regular maintenance helps to ensure that there won’t be significant damage down the road that can potentially cost you a lot of money. Instead, take the time to regularly inspect and repair little things and your house will keep going in tip-top shape for a long time.

I don’t know if I can do all this in a day! Spread them out – do a couple hour’s worth each Saturday or something to that effect. Just be sure to keep a schedule of what you’re doing so they get done regularly.

Home and Auto Maintenance Checklist

You should do all of these things once a month in your home and your automobile. I have double spaced them so that if you choose to print out this entry, there’s plenty of room to make notes. Some of these might apply to you; I also didn’t include seasonal maintenance tasks like waterproofing your deck and so on. Also, if you know of anything I missed, please say so in the comments.

Check the tire pressure on all cars and air them up to the recommended maximum

Check the oil on the lawnmower and sharpen the blades – well-sharpened mower blades drastically reduce mowing time

Check, clean, and perhaps replace the air filter on all automobiles

Check the fluid levels in all automobiles and adjust as needed

Check and fill all gas cans for lawnmowers, etc.

Check for squeaky doors and oil them as needed

Check and clean range hood filters

Check and replace furnace filters

Check and replace other ventilation system filters

Check and replace humidifier filters

Remove grills on forced air system ducts and vacuum inside the ducts

Examine the foundation for any cracks

Examine exposed wood (attic, etc.) for insect damage and do any insect preventative maintenance that needs to happen

Test all ground fault circuit interrupters

Check all vents (inside and outside) and make sure there are no obstructions

Remove screens, clean window wells, and dry them

Examine all outdoor items and see whether any seasonal maintenance needs to be done

Drain off a pan full of water from the clean-out valve at the bottom of your hot water tank (removes sediment and maintains efficiency)

Check your sump pump for any issues

Test all fire/smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in the house

Check all window and door locks to ensure they’re all in working order

Check your fire escape plan and make sure that furniture additions haven’t changed this

Check all faucets for dripping water and change washers if needed

Run all sinks, toilets, baths, and showers to ensure no problems (mostly just the ones not used frequently)

Check the gauge on all fire extinguishers and replace if needed

Use a pipe cleaner and baking soda to clean all drains

Check all gutters for blockage and clean as needed (bird’s nests, leaves, etc.)

Check all visible pipes for leaks (don’t forget under sinks, etc.)

Check and clean refrigerator and freezer coils (we did this about once every six months, if I remember right)

Check all caulking and repair as needed

Monthly Cleaning Checklist

This is the checklist used by my mother during her monthly “cleaning day,” which helped keep the house fresh. It might also be useful to you and, as before, the items are double spaced for printing and note-taking.

Clean all windows – remove the screens, clean the windowsills thoroughly, and also clean the windows thoroughly with Windex

Vacuum under all furniture – and vacuum all furniture, removing the cushions, etc.

Shampoo carpets as needed – this was usually done in a batch every few months

Scrub all non-carpeted floors – soap and brush on your hands and knees

Scour all sinks and tabletops

Sweep the garage floor

Put anything unused into storage (we had an annual “go through the storage” event, too)

Inventory all food staples (pantry, freezer, etc.), throw out what’s old, make a master list, and go to the store to replace what’s needed

Completely clean out refrigerator, thoroughly clean inside, then restock

Want to stop throwing your money away on rent but not sure if you can qualify for a new home? Visit with our on-site Mortgage Specialist and let them do the rest! They have the knowledge to inform you about our Down Payment Assistance programs and can also point you in the right direction of what your next step should be in the home buying process at no cost to you!

Southridge Crossing offers a quiet secluded location while still providing easy access to all the shopping and nearest attractions.  Come out and see why we are celebrating this great community!!

It’s been called a spirit. It’s even been referred to as a fever. Very few individuals – if any – can explain it. People in Houston just know that there’s something in the air, and they know that it arrives early in February and lasts about a month.

They smell pit-smoked barbecue for miles. They see their friends wearing jeans and boots. And while driving to work, they pass hundreds of men and women on horseback, some even in wagons.

Most Houstonians know exactly what’s going on – they’ve been around it for many years. But “foreigners” might not realize they’re being soaked in the Go Texan Spirit.

“Grow beards, wear big hats, boots and spurs. Let’s put a little touch of the Wild West into this thing.” Those were perhaps the first words spoken that informally established the unique Western flavor of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™.

It was in 1938 when the general manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce initiated a motion to immerse the city in excitement for the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. It wasn’t, however, until the mid 1950s that the Go Texan movement was officially launched, as a result of an advertising agency promotion.

In 1954, Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee, and members of the newly-established group encouraged everyone to wear Western clothes. They also distributed posters and other publicity material.

This Go Texan spirit has expanded throughout the last four decades, partly due to the efforts of the Show’s seven Go Texan committees and the Western Heritage Community Challenge Committee. These committees help publicize the Show through numerous promotional events and Go Texan contests.

There is no rule that walls must be painted a single color and ceilings must always be a shade of white. Try painting walls one color and trim, doors or built-in bookshelves another. Or paint three walls one color and the fourth a contrasting color for dramatic effect. When walls and ceilings are painted the same pale shade, a small room will look larger. And don’t be afraid to use bright colors on walls, especially if furnishings are light colored

1. A. Walls surrounding built in shelves in this entrance hall are painted a light shade of tan while the back wall is painted with a contrasting shade that ties into the dinning room.
2. B. In the dinning room, a dramatic effect is created by painting below the chair rail molding with a light tan color. Above the chair rail molding a deep burgundy is offset by a thin white molding above, then a wide band of white paint finished with a white crown molding.
3. C. The use of light bright colors open up this space from the dinning room into the formal living room. The columns and woodwork are painted with a semi-gloss finish for a classic look and long life.
4. D. This nook has been transformed into a seating area and painted with a durable semi-gloss finish to match the trim and woodwork. The walls are painted in the same shade as the rest of the room and finished off with coordinated pillows and a mirror.

Painter’s Tip: Once you have decided on a color concept for your home you will need to purchase the paint for the job. Make sure you take color samples home before you buy paint. Check them out in your home’s lighting. Industrial or commercial lighting in home centers and some paint stores can make colors look different than they will in your home. This is the best way to avoid unwanted surprises after you finish painting inside your home.     ]]> http://www.baywayhomes.com/blog/other/painting-tips/feed/ 0 http://www.baywayhomes.com/blog/other/opportunities-for-realtors-in-new-home-construction/ http://www.baywayhomes.com/blog/other/opportunities-for-realtors-in-new-home-construction/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:10:03 +0000 Eloise Cavey http://www.baywayhomes.com/blog/?p=1027 Bayway Homes, Searidge, 940 Bay Sky Way, Seabrook, TX  77586                    281-942-9112      ecavey@baywayhomes.com

 I thought our realtor friends out there might enjoy the following article that appeared in the September Issue of Houston Realtor Magazine.  Bayway Homes has a great realtor program.  You can stop in or call ahead and register your client.  We pay a full 3% commission (including upgrades, not including seller paid costs).  Also check out our listings on MLS, as we periodically offer BTSA’s on some of our inventory homes!  We have a great customer service rating so you know you’re clients will be happy with our service and their new home.  We look forward to working with you!

September 2010, Guest Columns

New Opportunities in New Construction

By Paul Silverman   Mon, Aug 30, 2010
 

 

There is no doubt that with the changes in construction lending and the natural absorption of completed homes, Houston will soon be facing a shortage in completed new homes. 

There is no doubt that with the changes in construction lending and the natural absorption of completed homes, Houston will soon be facing a shortage in completed new homes. With this change we are offered the chance to focus more on building a home that fits our buyer’s personality and needs rather than making them adjust their needs based on what is already built. While this change in the market will benefit the buyer, it will require some more understanding of the building process and setting the right expectations.

Homebuilding is a very unique industry in many ways but by far the biggest is that we are essentially the only producer of high priced commodity whose “factory” is open to its consumers during assembly. Imagine taking a trip to Detroit and asking to see your car on the assembly line! In addition to this transparency, the industry is subject to a number of factors including weather, material shortages and other factors that influence delivery time.

So as we gear up for building more homes and going through this process together, there are some expectations we need to set for ourselves and our clients to make for a pleasant consumer experience.

Here are the most important: 

1. Thoroughly compare the features and value proposition of each builder. Very few homes with the same features and construction methods are priced differently. Price differential is usually attributed to differences in standard features. Another important factor in looking at the model is to get a comprehensive list of exactly what is included and which items are upgrades. Please note that all non standard items will be documented on a change order which will usually be added to the final price unless the buyers choose to pay them outside of closing. Prepare a side by side comparison of the builder’s features for an accurate evaluation. Please also assign value to energy efficient homes as they reduce operating costs.
2. Ask the builder about the financing programs they offer their buyers. Many of them can offer attractive options such as lower interest rates, more flexible guidelines and even a one time close – where the buyers secure their financing in a construction loan. This helps the buyers by locking in their interest rate before construction and provides financial benefits such as writing off the interest. This type of loan helps builders by not stretching their lines of credit by not taking on the financial burden of a construction loan.
3. Help set an accurate closing estimate. Due to a number of reasons beyond their control, builders are hesitant to give a definite closing date more than thirty to sixty days before completion. Please help your client be prepared for all possibilities including getting lease extension options, gauging the correct time to put their home on the market, and the best case scenario, moving into temporary housing when you sell their current home quicker than expected.
4. Finish quality should be consistent throughout the community. The builder’s benchmark of quality is usually their model and your clients should expect their homes to be completed with the same attention to detail.
5. Stay in the game – make sure you are updated of the progress of the home on a regular basis either from the builder, the client or even better, by scheduling onsite visits. For out of town buyers, it is especially impressive to give them weekly updates along with pictures or videos of the progress. I recently had a couple who were both doctors that were disappointed about missing their slab pour. I broadcasted a live stream of it from my phone to www.qik.com and they were able to experience it firsthand.
6. Schedule a final walk time with your clients before the final builder walk. This will give you a chance to point out any issues you might see as well as speak with your clients about their concerns. While most REALTORS^® are not licensed inspectors, buyers feel a sense of comfort knowing the home “has your blessing.” By doing this before the builder’s final walk, this gives you a chance to bring up any concerns before it is too late and limits your potential conflict with the builder.

While these six suggestions represent a good start to ensuring a pleasant building process, please visit your local builders to learn how their building and financing programs can meet your client’s needs. Selling new construction is much easier than is seems and offers many advantages for the REALTOR^® and the buyer. 

By Paul Silverman 

Paul Silverman, MIRM, ABR, CSP, GREEN
Director of Sales and Marketing for ZK Homes
and a licensed Broker 

Our family is at the center of our personal universe. Most people would do almost anything for the sake of their family. That includes protecting them from known dangers and harm. This becomes increasing difficult, at times, because we live in an open society where we share the same public places as violent criminals like at shopping centers.

Family Security Plan

Whenever your family walks out the front door they leave that zone of protection that you have created. The secret to keeping your family reasonable safe once they leave home is to have a family security plan. To develop a family security plan you must give careful thought to the public routines of each family member and think of ways to make them safer from the violent people in the world. The best way to accomplish this is to hold a family meeting to discuss this plan and play what if using different scenarios. For example, what if we need to go to the shopping at the mall? What precautions can we take to be safer in the parking lot? What if someone approaches to rob us while walking to our car on the street at night? What would we do and how would we react? Where would we go and who would we notify in case of emergency?

Most people have no such family plan and have not met as a family to discuss what if situations. When or if a criminal assault does occur, the family will not be prepared and will have to rely on instinct in response to the incident. What if their response instincts are wrong or their reactions inappropriate, under the circumstances?

Shopping Centers

Shopping centers come in all sizes from the giant regional malls to the small strip-center with only a few stores. What they have in common is a parking lot. This is where your family is at greatest risk because of the “nature” of a parking lot. If you think about it, we are all strangers in a large parking lot. Violent criminals can blend in with the rest of us and get in close proximity fairly easily. Criminal predators can walk right by us and we will allow it because of the public setting.

Learn to Observe Conduct

Next time you go to a large shopping center sit in the parking lot for a few minutes and observe how easy it would be for a criminal predator to approach and attack you or your family. Shoppers walk to and from their cars totally consumed by their thoughts and thinking about what they are going to do next. Watch shoppers as they approach their cars fumbling for their keys. They will turn their backs and attention completely away from those nearby to load their shopping bags into the car, and get children and infants installed inside the vehicle. Most shopping center violent crimes occur precisely at this point. The most common violent crimes are purse-snatch and strong-arm robbery. Less common but potentially more serious are the crimes of carjacking and abduction.

Awareness is Important

To protect your family in this setting the best defense is awareness. Awareness will allow you anticipate the potential danger and plan ahead for the next time you go to a shopping center. Planning includes selecting a safer time to shop (daylight) and arranging not to shop alone if possible. You can plan where to park (i.e. not next to a large van) and in high traffic areas. You can plan to scan the area for suspicious males before parking and exiting your vehicle. You can also plan not to park or exit your vehicle if suspicious males are in the area. Families should agree in advance to exit and enter their vehicle quickly and lock the doors. Families should be trained to look around their vehicle before approaching and retreat if anyone suspicious is loitering in the area. They should be trained to return to the shopping center and alert security or call the police.

• Be aware and alert to predators in the parking lot
• Plan when to go and where to park
• Do not get out of the car if it doesn’t appear safe to do so
• Scan the area around your car as you approach it
• Teach your family to enter and exit the car quickly
• Trust your instincts of you see someone suspicious
• Return to the store if anyone looks or acts suspicious
• Ask if the shopping center does parking lot escorts

 (information shared from: http://www.crimedoctor.com/family_shopping.htm)

ORGANIZE YOUR PAPERS AND FILES. It is a good idea to have a system for managing your finances. It doesn’t matter if it’s simple or sophisticated,just that it is an approach that you’ll actually use. Many people like a basic three-folder system they keep up with all year-round.

*Folder 1-Income: salary,dividends,earnings,distributions,checking account interest,and don’t forget the 1099 Form you got when you redeemed that savings bond.

*Folder 2-Expenses and deductions: Make files for major catagories like contributions,medical and business expenses,put in canceled checks,bills,statements and receipts,mortgage statements,investment-related expenses,medical bills,child-carecostss, and non reimbursed business expenses for things like gas food and lodging.

Folder 3-Investments: This can include investment account statements,1099 Forms and K-1 Forms for certain trusts or partnerships,ask a CPA of Financial Advisor for advice,as you should with all tax questions.

There are also some easy-to-use software programs.Just go on line,search “tax preparation programs”and check out what is available.

Once again a special thank you to all who have come out and previewed our gorgeous new homes but also to all who have bought from us!!!With todays current interest rates it doesn’t make any sense to wait. Call me !!! Richard @ 832-877-6311  ” Remember the home you went home to think about tonight is going to be bought by the one that was thinking about that same home the night before !!”