Pearland Texas Real Estate

Welcome back to my 4 part blog series on Conducting a Home Energy Audit!

If you missed Part 1, I discussed locating the leaks in your home. Locating exactly where you are leaking air in your home can save you hundreds of dollars each year! Part 2 covered how to conduct a home energy audit in your attic - or specifically, with your insulation. 

Today, I want to discuss auditing your heating & cooling. Did you know that heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

It is always recommended to inspect your heating and cooling equipment annually, or as directed by the manufacturer. You should be diligent in checking your filters and replacing them as needed. A general rule of thumb, you should change them about once every month or two, especially during periods of high usage.

You should also have a heating and cooling professional check and clean your equipment once a year. EnergySavers.gov recommends that if the unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. Check your duct-work for dirt streaks, especially near seams. These indicate air leaks, and they should be sealed with a duct mastic! Also make sure to insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces.

For more energy saving tips on your home, visit EnergySavers.gov! Come back tomorrow for the last of my "Conducting a Home Energy Audit" Series Part 4: Lighting where I will discuss how to save money on your lighting!

Welcome back to my blog series on Conducting a Home Energy Audit.  If you missed Part 1, I discussed locating the leaks in your home.  Locating exactly where you are leaking air in your home can save you hundreds of dollars each year! 

Today, I want to talk about conducting a home energy audit in your attic - or specifically, with your insulation. We all know that insulation can make a huge difference in your energy bills but when was the last time you inspected your insulation (or even thought about it?!)?

The website EnergySavers.gov gives some great tips on inspecting your home's insulation:

1.)  Heat loss through the ceiling and walls in your home could be very large if the insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. When your house was built, the builder likely installed the amount of insulation recommended at that time. Given today's energy prices (and future prices that will probably be higher), the level of insulation might be inadequate, especially if you have an older home! Here is a great resource for adding insultion to an exisiting home.

2.) If your attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather stripped, and closes tightly. In the attic, determine whether openings for items such as pipes, ductwork, and chimneys are sealed. Seal any gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant.

3.) While you are inspecting the attic, check to see if there is a vapor barrier under the attic insulation. The vapor barrier might be tarpaper, Kraft paper attached to fiberglass batts, or a plastic sheet. If there does not appear to be a vapor barrier, you might consider painting the interior ceilings with vapor barrier paint. This reduces the amount of water vapor that can pass through the ceiling. Large amounts of moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and promote structural damage.

4.) Make sure that the attic vents are not blocked by insulation. You also should seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling with flexible caulk (from the living room side or attic side) and cover the entire attic floor with at least the current recommended amount of insulation.

5.) Checking a wall's insulation level is more difficult. Select an exterior wall and turn off the circuit breaker or unscrew the fuse for any outlets in the wall. Be sure to test the outlets to make certain that they are not "hot." Check the outlet by plugging in a functioning lamp or portable radio. Once you are sure your outlets are not getting any electricity, remove the cover plate from one of the outlets and gently probe into the wall with a thin, long stick or screwdriver. If you encounter a slight resistance, you have some insulation there. You could also make a small hole in a closet, behind a couch, or in some other unobtrusive place to see what, if anything, the wall cavity is filled with. Ideally, the wall cavity should be totally filled with some form of insulation material. Unfortunately, this method cannot tell you if the entire wall is insulated, or if the insulation has settled. Only a thermographic inspection can do this.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog series on Conducting A Home energy Audit so far. Make sure to come back tomorrow as I will discuss auditing your heating and cooling equipment!

The summer months can be brutal on your utility bills! In fact, a friend of mine was complaining yesterday that her water bill and electricity bill was $172 and $174 respectively. That adds up quick!

So how can you determine where you are wasting energy? Simple! Conduct a home energy audit!

That's why I am doing a Four-part series on conducting your own home energy audit to save money. There are a lot of great resources online to help you conduct a home energy audit. For this blog series purpose, I am utilizing government energy resources to help readers learn some "do it yourself" energy tricks to save money!

EnergySavers.gov lists several ways to conduct your own home energy audit to determine energy waste and thereby, save you money! Here are a few examples:

Locating Air Leaks

First, make a list of obvious air leaks (drafts). The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical outlets
  
• Switch plates
  
•  Window frames
  
• Baseboards
  
• Weather stripping around doors
  
• Fireplace dampers
  
• Attic hatches
  
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.
  

Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition.

Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weather stripping them.Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken. You may also wish to consider replacing your old windows and doors with newer, high-performance ones. If new factory-made doors or windows are too costly, you can install low-cost plastic sheets over the windows.

If you are having difficulty locating leaks, you may want to conduct a basic building pressurization test:

1. First, close all exterior doors, windows, and fireplace flues.
   
2. Turn off all combustion appliances such as gas burning furnaces and water heaters.
   
3. Then turn on all exhaust fans (generally located in the kitchen and bathrooms) or use a large window fan to suck the air out of the rooms.
   

This test increases infiltration through cracks and leaks, making them easier to detect. You can use incense sticks or your damp hand to locate these leaks. If you use incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you use your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

On the outside of your house, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• All exterior corners
  
• Where siding and chimneys meet
  
• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.
  

You should plug and caulk holes or penetrations for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and seal them with the appropriate material. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows, and see whether exterior storm doors and primary doors seal tightly. 

This is a great way start to managing your home's energy efficency! Stay tuned for Conduct a Home Energy Audit Part 2: Insulation.

As we all know - the two biggest selling points in an house is the Kitchen & the bathrooms.  Last week I did a blog on inexpensive kitchen remodeling tips.  Today I am focusing on the bathroom!

Tip #1 - Paint

Paint is by far the fastest way to make a big difference in your bathroom!  It completely changes the tone of the space and is a great tool for making smaller bathrooms seem larger! In addition to painting, if the space allows, consider putting up white wainscoting along the walls and only painting the top portion a deep, dark color. Paint the wainscoting a contrasting color or a clean, stark white.This can give your bathroom a more dramatic effect!

Tip #2 - Shower Curtains

When was the last time you changed your shower curtain? As the bathtub is such a large focus of the room, a shower curtain should be chosen with care. You can also change the curtain rod to a color that compliments the bathroom!

Tip# 3 - The Floor

Most bathrooms are small enough that installing new tile can be inexpensive.  Check out local flooring clearance stores for discounted tiles.  If replacing the tile is out of the question, consider new bath rugs. Rugs are a great way to draw attention away from older floors and make the room look richer and more luxurious.

Tip #4 - The Mirror

Consider replacing your current mirror with a framed version!  You can easily take your current mirror to a glass shop that will add a frame for you. Even hardware stores such as Home Depot carry magnetic mirror frames that take less than 5 minutes to put up. You can also purchase a large functional mirror from a home store. Recently, I purchased a large mirror from Marshalls Home Good Store for less than $30 and I have received so many compliments on it!

Tip #5 Accessories

Don't forget about the accessories.  Towels are a great way to add personality to the bathroom and its doesn't have to cost a lot either! Luxurious hand towels can be found inexpensively at stores like Marshalls Home Goods or on sale at department stores throughout the year. For guest bathrooms, I also love to see boutique or specialty soap. 

When you are trying to give your bathroom a makeover, remember that the details are important. Since the bathroom is a small space, these little things can make all the difference!

I subscribe to a newsletter from American Home Shield (AHS) and today I received one on remodeling your kitchen on a budget. It had some great ideas so I thought I would share them with you! As we all know - the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home and also the biggest selling point for most buyers!

Here are some simple tips and ideas to get you started without breaking the bank:

1. Plan ahead and find patterns, colors and textures that you like from magazines, home improvement stores and the Internet.
   
2. Set a budget! Know what upgrades will give you the most value for your money and do your best to stick with your budget.
   
3. Make a plan and do one thing at a time, especially if you’re going to do it yourself.

So where should you start?

Cabinets - Repaint or stain your cabinet doors and add new hardware. This is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can do that makes a big difference. If you need advice on what works best with the cabinets you have, take a door into your local home improvement store and ask for professional advice. Kitchen

Counter Tops - Counter tops can be expensive if you’re going for granite, but that’s not your only option. You can opt for concrete or granite overlay. Do your research to find what suits your budget and style best. Kitchen

Floors -  Your choices are endless when it comes to updating your kitchen floors. From peel-and-stick tile to laminate wood flooring and travertine, the sky is the limit— but be mindful of your budget! Bring home samples of the flooring based on your style and budget before you make a final decision. Many real estate professionals agree that a kitchen remodel splurge should be saved for the countertops and not the floors, so keep this in mind when deciding. You want to make sure you get great value from any upgrades you do.

Saving Money on Kitchen Appliances - If your appliances are in good working order and match in color and style, save your budget for more beneficial upgrades. If your appliances look really dated or don’t match the new look of your kitchen, you may want to consider finding some great scratch and dent deals. Did you know that appliances can be painted? A professional paint job can turn your white appliances into fresh, new-looking ones. You can also buy appliance-safe paint at your home improvement store and do it yourself.

Kitchen Lightening - Installing modern lighting is amazingly simple if your kitchen is already wired for overhead lighting. A new chandelier can make a big difference, and you can find options for less than $150! To make an even bigger impact, be sure to install a dimmer switch. You’ll be surprised what a difference a little “mood switch” can make.

The options are endless for remodeling your kitchen on a budget. The hardest part is deciding which upgrades will make the biggest difference on the smallest budget. Just be sure to do your research and to set realistic goals. And last, but not least, enjoy the project by making it your own

First impressions count! That's why curb appeal is such a large factor when home buyers are considering buying a home. I have many clients ask me what they should do to their yard before putting their Pearland home on the market. Here is a list of things that I tell my clients:

Front Door - Make sure that your front door is freshly painted or at the very minimum, clean it so that there are no marks. The appearance of the front door makes a huge impression on potential buyers. I had one client tell me that after she had her front door freshly painted, it made the entry into the house 10 times better. Additionally, replace any outdated light fixtures. Home Improvement stores offer a wide variety of inexpensive – yet fashionable light fixtures that can add value to your home.

Lawn Care – Having your lawn properly manicured is a MUST when you place your home on the market. This is especially key during the summer when lawns grow fast. I often tell clients to make sure lawns are mowed before the weekend when their house is typically shown the most.

Mailbox Makeover – Do a mailbox makeover! If your mailbox is looking a little weathered, a quick fix is to buy a can of spray paint that best matches the look of the house and go to town! It may seem like a small thing to do but it can add to the general “wow” factor of your house!

Fresh Paint Goes a Long Way - Double check the exterior of your house. Do you have paint flaking off?  Pearland home buyers are looking for house that is "move-in ready" and if your home looks like it will need a lot of work - it can turn them off.  By adding a fresh coat of paint to the trim of the house or to the siding, you can add thousands of dollars in value to your home.

Let Your Garden Grow– Adding a flower bed not only beautifies your house but it gives a potential home buyer the impression that you care for your house. Look to add seasonal flowers that will thrive during the time your house is on the market. Also keep in mind whether these flowers or shrubs will be in direct sunlight or in a shaded area. If you already have a garden bed, then add fresh mulch to it.

Window Boxes- Adding window boxes with beautiful flowers is such an elegant way to add color to your yard.  Window boxes are especially helpful when you don't have enough space to have a large garden bed.  They also tend to help your house "pop" and stand out.

Add Some Shade– Pearland Home buyers love shade trees – they cut down on energy costs and look great! However, buying them can be expensive! One of my favorite things to do is to go to a place like Houston Garden Center at the end of the summer and buy trees or large shrubbery. Garden stores normally reduce their prices anywhere from 40 – 70% off retail prices. Since we live in an area that typically has mild winters, it is easier to buy these plants at discounted rates and then plant them. This does take some advanced planning but is worth it in my opinion!

These are just a few simple and easy way to add curb appeal to your Pearland home. The work will definitely pay-off when you place your house for sale. If you would like more tips on how to get your Pearland house ready to sell, please give me a call or email me – I’d love to help you!

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog on preparing your Pearland home for hurricane season.  Since it is so important to be prepared, I wanted to re-post the Hurricane Preparation seminars hosted by Brazoria County.  If you missed the first one, please note that there are several that are being offered through the county.  These seminars offer you great tips on how to prepare your house and family for hurricane season. 

Some of the topics being discussed are:

• National Weather Service Update for 2010

• What we have learned from past storms

• Being prepared when officials recommend evacuation

• Evacuation HUB and destinations • Preparations (home, vehicles, etc.)

• Disaster supply kit information

• When you should return

Preparedness is the key to protecting you and your family! Please plan on attending one of these seminars and become informed. By doing so, you will ensure that you and your family will survive any hurricane that may threaten our area.

Seminars:

Angleton June 1, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. Recreation Center – 1601 N. Valderas Street Brazoria

June 7, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. Heritage Foundation – 202 West Smith Pearland

June 12, 2010 – 10:00 a.m. Community Center – 3523 Liberty Freeport

June 15, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. River Place – 733 Mystery Harbor Lane Lake Jackson

June 17, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. Civic Center Ballroom – 333 Hwy 332, East Alvin

June 21, 2010 – 6:30 p.m. Alvin Community College – 3300 Mustang Road

For the first time ever one of my very good friends parents home flooded for the first time, a couple of weeks ago.  The very first time and they had three (3) feet of water in their home.  They have lived in this house for over 30 years.  Unfortunately, I hear these stories and so many times people did not have flood insurance on their homes.  My friends parents were the lucky ones, even though flood insurance was not required on their house they decided to have it just in case. 

Pearland Texas homeowners, this is one of those things that you can wait to long to get your Flood Insurance.  With Hurricane season quickly approaching it is time to call your insurance company now.  If you are not required to have flood insurance you will be pleasantly surprised on the amount you will pay for the policy.  Pearland homeowners keep in mind if there is a storm in the Gulf of Mexico you will not be able to get a flood policy.

For Flood Insurance Company information visit Texas Department of Insurance

Pearland, Texas Has Many Great Insurance Companies for you to choose from!

Visit Maggie McFarland your  Pearland... Real Estate Agent on the Web

"Think Real Estate..Think Maggie McFarland"

Pearland Texas Real Estate homeowners it seems to me Hurricane Ike was just a couple of months ago. Like many others Ike is still a thorn in my side! In just a few weeks Hurricane season will begin (June 1st ) So even though some of us that live in Pearland and surrounding areas are still dealing with house repairs and insurance we must begin to prepare.

HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONES - Brazoria/Galveston Counties
Pearland Texas Residnets the evacuation orders will come from our Pearland Texas city officials. Evacuation will be based on zip codes. When that call comes, be prepared to leave immediately as your zone is called. Pearland Texas City officials make decisions to evacuate 36-48 hours before a storm makes landfall. Hurricanes are extremely unpredictable and can become more dangerous in a matter of hours. It is not safe to wait. Plan to leave early if an evacuation order has been given. Click Here to View the Evacuation Zone Map

Pearland Texas we are lucky because Brazoria County has come out with this years Hurricanes Guide. I have to say it is very informative and should be a great resource to all of us this season. Click Here to get your FREE huricane guide.

Pearland Texas homeowners can keep current on National Weather including hurricanes visit www.nws.noaa.gov

Visit Maggie McFarland your Local Real Estate Agent on the Web!
"Think Real Estate..Think Maggie McFarland"