Charlotte Homes for Sale
Nina Hollander
(704)779-0813

Here are four great things to do in November to keep your home in tip-top shape:

• Check your roof from the ground (use binoculars) and repair any curled or missing shiples.
• Ensure that your well cover is tightly seated to keep pipes from freezing.
• Drain and winterize your irrigation system (backflow preventers are particularly vulnerable)
• Seal foundation holes, particularly around pipes and wires to keep rodents out.

Staging your home for sale is ever more important these days to getting a home sold in a reasonable time frame. A quick and relatively inexpensive way to freshen up your home is to paint the interior. Here are four great tips to making that paint job first-class:

• Prep the surface: to ensure that paint glides on smoothly, make sure the surface is clean. And don’t forget to lightly sand down any glossy spots to avoid streaks.
• Select the right paint colors/sheens: higher sheen paints are more durabble so use those for high traffic areas. Low-lustre finishes offer more warmth than flat paint. A higher sheen paint on the ceiling could provide better reflection in a room. Be sure to get samples and test your colors at  home in different light conditions.
• Buy quality paint: higher quality paint is easier to apply. It also is more durable and can be easily cleaned with soap and water.
• Use the right paint tools: when using a roller, select the appropriate length of roller nap for better coverage. (Smoother surfaces require a shorter nap.) Use synthetic materials to apply latex or water-based paint.

For more information and tips on painting and color trends visit the PaintQualityInstitute’s website.

TOP 5 BATHROOM FEATURES HOME BUYERS LOOK FOR:

• Linen closet: 89%
• Exhaust fan: 88%
• Separate shower enclosure: 79%
• Water temperature control: 79%W
• Whirlpool tub: 66%

TOP 5 KITCHEN FEATURES HOME BUYERS LOOK FOR:

• Walk-in pantry: 86%
• Kitchen island: 80%
• Built-in microwave: 72%
• Drinking water filtration: 69%
• Special use storage (custom-made for appliances): 66%

Source:  National Association of Home Builders

Before you launch a major home project, make sure your contract includes the following:

• The contractor’s name, address, phone, and license number.
• The payment schedule for the contractor, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• An estimated start and completion date.
• The contractor’s obligation to obtain all permits.
• How change orders will be handled.
• A detailed list of all materials, including color, model, size and brand name.
• Warranties covering materials and workmanship.
• A “broom clause,” which makes the contractor responsible for all clean-up, including spills and stains.

When the job is done, don’t make final payment until you check that:

• All work meets the standards specified in the contract.
• You have proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.
• The job site has been cleared of excess materials, tools, and equipment.
• You have personally inspected and approved the completed work.

Thanks to Angie’s List for sharing these tips with me!

When you’re replacing appliances, making repairs or remodeling, you may be able to recoup part of the cost if your improvements are energy-efficient. A 30% tax credit is available with a limit of $1,500 for all combined credits. From Angie’s List, here are some details about credits:

• The credit applies to material costs for windows, doors, insulation, and roofs. It also applies to material, labor and installation costs for HVAC systems, non-solar water heaters and biomass stoves.
• The improvements must be installed in your primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. New construction and second homes are not eligible for credits.
• Save your receipts and manufacturer certification statements.
• The credit also applies to materials, installation, and labor for geothermal heat pumps. solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and small wind energy systems. These credits have different limits. Namely, the tax credit is 30% of the total costs with no upper limit through 2016. And this credit also apples to new construction, second homes, and rental homes.
• Some hybrid vehicles also qualify for a separate credit based on make and model. But keep in mind that this credit is being phased out as sales reach a certain threshold. Visit fueleconomy.gov for more information.
• Products must meet specific standards to qualify for the credit. Energy Star compliance isn’t alway sufficient. For a full list of specifications and qualified products, go to energystar.gov/tax credits.

Winter is coming!  Here are a few tips to get your home in top shape for the cold months:

- Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint. Replace caulk if necessary.
- Good time to paint interior rooms or shampoo/replace carpets while it’s still warm enough to leave windows open.
- In cold-climate areas, remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.
- Check heating system including filters, pilot lights, and burners, and have the system serviced by a qualified professional.* (see below for more useful information on furnace fileters)
- Drain hot water heater. Flush and refill. 
- Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns.
- Check that foundations are properly graded. Soil should slope four to six inches for a distance of three feet out from the foundation walls.
- If you haven’t already, check basement for cracks or leaks. Seal if necessary.
- If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate.
- Wash out garbage cans, disinfect, and then rinse thoroughly.

*Some Useful Information About Furnace Filters:

We all know that we should replace our furnace or air conditioner filters (they are the same thing) regularly, but many of us gape in confusion at the many, many options available and we don’t really know how to determine what might be best for our specific purposes. Here are a couple of resources you might want to try for information to help you decide. Filter Furnace Care (a retail site) is good place to look for some important things to consider and a simple, but detailed comparison chart of the various filter types. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a good, but technical, resource for a comprehensive guide to air cleaners in the home including sections dealing specifically with types of furnace filters and how efficiency ratings are determined