Each month, we publish a series of articles of interest to homeowners -- money-saving tips, household safety checklists, home improvement advice, real estate insider secrets, etc. Whether you currently are in the market for a new home, or not, we hope that this information is of value to you. Please feel free to pass these articles on to your family and friends.
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FEATURE REPORT
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Cooling Your Home Naturally
 Keeping cool indoors when it is hot outdoors is a problem. The sun
beating down on our homes causes indoor temperatures to rise to
uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief. But the
initial costs of installing an air conditioner and the electricity costs
to run it can be high. In addition, conventional air conditioners use
refrigerants made of chlorine compounds, suspected contributors to the
depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. But there are
alternatives to air conditioning. This information provides some common
sense suggestions and low-cost retrofit options to help you "keep your
cool"- and save electricity.
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Also This Month...
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27 Tips You Should Know To Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar
Because your home may well be your
largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important
decisions you will make in your life. Through these 27 tips you
will discover how to protect and capitalize on your most
important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your
situation, and make the most profit possible.
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Summer Health Dangers
When the temperature soars and humidity rises, it's time to take
precautions to avoid health consequences such as heat exhaustion, heat
stroke and overexposure to the sun. With heat exhaustion and stroke,
the most susceptible are seniors, children, and people with chronic
illnesses. However, everyone is at risk.
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Cooling Your Home Naturally
Keeping cool indoors when it is hot outdoors is a problem. The sun
beating down on our homes causes indoor temperatures to rise to
uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief. But the
initial costs of installing an air conditioner and the electricity costs
to run it can be high. In addition, conventional air conditioners use
refrigerants made of chlorine compounds, suspected contributors to the
depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. But there are
alternatives to air conditioning. This information provides some common
sense suggestions and low-cost retrofit options to help you "keep your
cool"- and save electricity.
Staying Cool
An alternative way to maintain a cool house or reduce air conditioning
use is natural (or passive) cooling. Passive cooling uses non-mechanical
methods to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
The most effective method to cool your home is to keep the heat from
building up in the first place. The primary source of heat buildup
(i.e., gain) is sunlight absorbed by your house through the roof, walls,
and windows. Secondary sources are heat generating appliances in the
home and air leakage. Specific methods to prevent heat gain include
reflecting heat (i.e., sunlight) away from your house, blocking the
heat, removing built up heat, and reducing or eliminating heat generating sources in your home.
Reflecting Heat Away
The most effective method to cool your home is to keep the heat from
building up in the first place. Dull, dark colored home exteriors absorb 70% to 90% of the radiant
energy from the sun that strikes the home's surfaces. Some of this
absorbed energy is then transferred into your home by way of conduction,
resulting in heat gain. In contrast, light colored surfaces effectively
reflect most of the heat away from your home.
Installing a radiant barrier
Radiant barriers are easy to install. It does not matter which way the
shiny surface faces - up or down. But you must install it on the
underside of your roof - not horizontally over the ceiling, and the
barrier must face an airspace.
For your own comfort while in the attic, install the radiant barrier on
a cool, cloudy day. Use plywood walk boards or wooden planks over the
ceiling joists for support. Caution: Do not step between the ceiling
joists, or you may fall through the ceiling.
Staple the foil to the bottom or side of the rafters, draping it from
rafter to rafter. Do not worry about a tight fit or small tears in the
fabric; radiant transfer is not affected by air movement. The staples
should be no more than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) apart to
prevent air circulation from loosening or detaching the radiant barrier.
Use a caulking gun to apply a thin bead of construction adhesive to the
rafters along the seams of the foil barrier. This will make the
installation permanent.
Roofs
About a third of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in
through the roof. This is hard to control with traditional roofing
materials. For example, unlike most light colored surfaces, even white
asphalt and fiberglass shingles absorb 70% of the solar radiation. One
good solution is to apply a reflective coating to your existing roof.
Two standard roofing coatings are available at your local hardware store
or lumberyard. They have both waterproof and reflective properties and
are marketed primarily for mobile homes and recreational vehicles. One
coating is white latex that you can apply over many common roofing
materials, such as asphalt and fiberglass shingles, tar paper, and metal.
A second coating is asphalt based and contains glass fibers and aluminum
particles. You can apply it to most metal and asphalt roofs. Because it
has a tacky surface, it attracts dust, which reduces its reflective
somewhat.
Another way to reflect heat is to install a radiant barrier on
the underside of your roof. A radiant barrier is simply a sheet of aluminum
foil with a paper backing. When installed correctly, a radiant barrier can
reduce heat gains through your ceiling by about 25%. (see box for
information on installing a radiant barrier.)
Radiant barrier materials cost between $0.13 per square foot ($1.44 per
square meter) for a single-layer product with a kraft-paper backing and
$0.30 per square foot ($3.33 per square meter) for a vented multiflora
product with a fiber-reinforced backing. The latter product doubles as
insulation.
Walls
Wall color is not as important as roof color, but does affect heat gain
somewhat. White exterior walls absorb less heat than dark walls, and
light, bright walls increase the longevity of siding, particularly on
the east, west, and south sides of the house.
Windows
Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in your home comes in
through windows. Reflective window coatings are one way to reflect heat
away from your home. These coatings are plastic sheets treated with dyes
or thin layers of metal. Besides keeping your house cooler, these
reflective coatings cut glare and reduce fading of furniture, draperies,
and carpeting.
Two main types of coatings include sun-control films and combination
films. Sun-control films are best for warmer climates because they can
reflect as much as 80% of the incoming sunlight. Many of these films are
tinted, however, and tend to reduce light transmission as much as they
reduce heat, thereby darkening the room.
Combination films allow some light into a room but they also let some
heat in and prevent interior heat from escaping. These films are best
for climates that have both hot and cold seasons. Investigate the
different film options carefully to select the film that best meets your
needs. Note: do not place reflective coatings on south facing windows if
you want to take advantage of heat gain during the winter. The coatings
are applied to the interior surface of the window. Although you can
apply the films yourself, it is a good idea to have a professional
install the coatings, particularly if you have several large windows.
This will ensure a more durable installation and a more aesthetically
pleasing look.
Blocking the Heat
Two excellent methods to block heat are insulation and shading.
Insulation helps keep your home comfortable and saves money on
mechanical cooling systems such as air conditioners and electric fans.
Shading devices block the sun's rays and absorb or reflect the solar
heat.
Insulation
Weatherization measures - such as insulating, weather stripping, and
caulking - help seal and protect your house against the summer heat in
addition to keeping out the winter cold. The attic is a
good place to start insulating because it is a major source of heat
gain. Adequately insulating the attic protects the upper floors of a
house. Recommended attic insulation levels depend on where you live and
the type of heating system you use. For most climates, you want a minimum
of R-30. In climates with extremely cold winters, you may want as much as
R-49.
Wall insulation is not as important for cooling as attic insulation
because outdoor temperatures are not as hot as attic temperatures. Also,
floor insulation has little or no effect on cooling.
Although unintentional infiltration of outside air is not a major
contributor to inside temperature, it is still a good idea to keep it
out. Outside air can infiltrate your home around poorly sealed doors,
windows, electrical outlets, and through openings in foundations and
exterior walls. Thorough caulking and weather stripping will control
most of these air leaks.
Shading
Shading your home can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 20°f
(11°c). Effective shading can be provided by trees and other vegetation
and exterior or interior shades.
Landscaping
Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to shade your home and block
the sun. A well placed tree, bush, or vine can deliver effective shade
and add to the aesthetic value of your property. When designing your
landscaping, use plants native to your area that survive with minimal
care. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall (i.e., deciduous) help
cut cooling energy costs the most. When selectively placed around a
house, they provide excellent protection from the summer sun and permit
winter sunlight to reach and warm your house. The height, growth rate,
branch spread, and shape are all factors to consider in choosing a tree.
Vines are a quick way to provide shading and cooling. Grown on
trellises, vines can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Ask
your local nursery which vine is best suited to your climate and needs.
Besides providing shade, trees and vines create a cool microclimate that
dramatically reduces the temperature (by as much as (9°f [5°c]) in the
surrounding area. During photosynthesis, large amounts of water vapor
escape through the leaves, cooling the passing air. and the generally dark
and coarse leaves absorb solar radiation. You might also consider low
ground cover such as grass, small plants, and bushes. A grass-covered lawn
is usually 10°f (6°c) cooler than bare ground in the summer. If you are in
an arid or semiarid climate, consider native ground covers that require
little water.
Planning Your Planting
Placement of vegetation is important when landscaping your home. The
following are suggestions to help you gain the most from vegetation.
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Plant trees on the northeast-southeast and the northwest-southwest
sides of your house. Unless you live in a climate where it is hot
year round, do not plant trees directly to the south. Even the bare
branches of mature deciduous trees can significantly reduce the
amount of sun reaching your house in the winter.
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Plant trees and shrubs so they can direct breezes. Do not place a
dense line of evergreen trees where they will block the flow of
cool
air around or through them.
- Set trellises away from your house to allow air to circulate and
keep
the vines from attaching to your house's facade and damaging its
exterior. Placing vegetation too close to your house can trap heat
and make the air around your house even warmer.
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Do not plant trees or large bushes where their roots can damage
septic tanks, sewer lines, underground wires, or your house's foundation.
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Make sure the plants you choose can withstand local weather
extremes.
Shading Devices
Both exterior and interior shades control heat gain. Exterior shades are
generally more effective than interior shades because they block
sunlight before it enters windows. When deciding which devices to use
and where to use them, consider whether you are willing to open and
close them daily or just put them up for the hottest season. You also
want to know how they will affect ventilation.
Exterior shading devices include awnings, lovers, shutters, rolling
shutters and shades, and solar screens. Awnings are very effective
because the block direct sunlight. They are usually made of fabric or
metal and are attached above the window and extend down and out. A
properly installed awning can reduce heat gain up to 65% on southern
windows and 77% on eastern windows. A light colored awning does double
duty by also reflecting sunlight.
Maintaining a gap between the top of the awning and the side of the
house helps vent accumulated heat from under a solid- surface awning. If
you live in a climate with cold winters, you will want to remove awnings
for winter storage, or by retractable ones, to take advantage of winter
heat gain.
The amount of drop (how far down the awing comes) depends on which side
of your house the window is on. An east or west window needs a drop of
65% to 75% of the window height. A south-facing window only needs a drop
of 45% to 60% for the same amount of shade. A pleasing angle to the eye
for mounting and awning is 45°. Make sure the awning does not project
into the path of foot traffic unless it is at least 6 feet 8 inches (2
meters) from the ground.
One disadvantage of awnings is that they can block views, particularly
on the east and west sides. However, slatted awnings do allow limited
viewing through the top parts of windows.
Louvers are attractive because their adjustable slats control the level
of sunlight slats control the level of sunlight entering your home and,
depending on the design, can be adjusted from inside or outside your
house. The slats can be vertical or horizontal. Louvers remain fixed and
are attached to the exteriors of window frames.
Shutters are movable wooden or metal covering that, when closed, keep
sunlight out. Shutters are either solid or slatted with fixed or
adjustable slats. Besides reducing heat gain, they can provide privacy
and security. Some shutters help insulate windows when it is cold
outside.
Rolling shutters have a series of horizontal slats that run down along a
track. Rolling shades use a fabric. These are the most expensive shading
options, but the work well and can provide security. Many exterior
rolling shutters or shades can be conveniently controlled from the
inside. One disadvantage is that when fully extended, the block all
light.
Solar screens resemble standard window screens except they keep direct
sunlight from entering the window, cut glare, and block light without
blocking the view or elimination air flow. They also provide privacy by
restricting the view of the interior from outside your house. Solar
screens come in a variety of colors and screening materials to
compliment any home. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, these
screens will not last as long as professionally built screens.
Although interior shading is not as effective as exterior shading, it is
worthwhile if none of the previously mentioned techniques are possible.
There are several ways to block the sun's heat from inside your house.
Draperies and curtains made of tightly woven, light-colored, opaque
fabrics reflect more of the sun's rays than they let through. The
tighter the curtain is against the wall around the window, the better it
will prevent heat gain. Two layers of draperies improve the
effectiveness of the draperies' insulation when it is either hot or cold
outside.
Venetian blinds, although not as effective as draperies, can be adjusted
to let in some light and air while reflecting the sun's heat. Some newer
blinds are coated with reflective finishes. To be effective, the
reflective surfaces must face the outdoors. Some interior cellular
(honeycombed) shades also come with reflective mylar coatings. But they
block natural light and restrict air flow.
Opaque roller shades are effective when fully drawn but also block light
and restrict air flow.
Removing Built-Up Heat
Nothing feels better on a hot day than a cool breeze. Encouraging cool
air to enter your house forces warm air out, keeping your house
comfortably cool. However, this strategy only works when the inside
temperature is higher than the outside temperature.
Natural ventilation maintains indoor temperatures close to outdoor
temperatures close to outdoor temperatures and helps remove heat from
your home. But only ventilated during the coolest parts of the day or
night, and seal off your house from the hot sun and air during the
hottest parts of the day. The climate you live in determines the best
ventilation strategy. In areas with cool nights and very hot days, let
the night air in to cool your house. By the time the interior heats up, and the outside air
should be cooler and can be allowed indoors.
In climates with day time breezes, open windows on the side from where
the breeze is coming and on the opposite side of the house. Keep
interior doors open to encourage whole house ventilation. If your
location lacks consistent breezes, create them by opening the windows at
the lowest and highest points in your house. This natural
"thermo siphoning," or "chimney," effect can be taken a step further by
adding a clerestory or a vented skylight.
In hot, humid climates where temperature swings between day and night
are mall, ventilate when humidity is not excessive. Ventilating your
attic greatly reduces the amount of accumulated heat, which eventually
works its way into the main part of your house. Ventilated attics are
about 30°f (16°c) cooler than unventilated attics. Properly sized and
placed louvers and roof vents help prevent moisture buildup and overheating
in your attic.
Reducing Heat-Generating Sources
Often overlooked sources of interior heat gain are lights and household
appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and dryers. Because most of the
energy that incandescent lamps use is given off as heat, use them only
when necessary. Take advantage of daylight to illuminate your house, and
consider switching to compact fluorescent lamps. These use about 75% less
energy than incandescent lamps, and emit 90% less heat for the same amount
of light.
New, energy efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy.
Many household appliances generate a lot of heat. When possible, use
them in the morning or late evening when you can better tolerate the
extra heat. Consider cooking on an outside barbecue grill or use a
microwave oven, which does not generate as much heat and uses less
energy than a gas or electric range.
Washers, dryers, dishwashers, and water heaters also generate large
amounts of heat and humidity. To gain the most benefit, seal off your
laundry room and water heater from the rest of the house.
New, energy efficient appliances generate less heat and use less energy.
When it is time to purchase new appliances, make sure the are energy
efficient. All refrigerators, dishwashers, and dryers display an energy
guide label indicating the annual estimated cost for operating the
appliance or a standardized energy efficiency ratio. Compare appliances and
buy the most efficient models for your needs.
Saving Energy
Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. Even if
you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, may not be enough.
Sometimes you need to supplement natural cooling with mechanical
devices. Fans and evaporative coolers can supplement your cooling
strategies and cost less to install and run than air conditioners.
Ceiling fans make you feel cooler. Their effect is equivalent to
lowering the air temperature by about 4°f (2°c). Evaporative coolers use
about one-fourth the energy of conventional air conditioners.
Many utility companies offer rebates and other cost incentives when you
purchase or install energy saving products, such as insulation and
energy efficient lighting and appliances. Contact your local utility
company to see what it offers in the way of incentives.
Cooling Strategies Checklist
Cooling strategies to consider:
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lighten roof and exterior wall color
- replace/coat roof with bright white or shiny material
- install a radiant barrier
- add reflective coatings to windows
- insulate attic and walls
- caulk and weather strip to seal air leaks
- add shade trees, bushes, or vines
- add exterior awnings and shades
- add interior drapes and shades
- ventilate attic
- increase natural ventilation
- isolate heat-generating appliances
- replace heat-generating appliances
- replace light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent's
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27 Tips You Should Know To Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar
".....you have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in
order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as
bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between
closings."
Because your home may well be
your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important
decisions you will make in your life. To better understand the homeselling
process, a guide has been prepared from current industry insider reports.
Through these 27 tips you will discover how to protect and capitalize on
your most important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your
situation, and make the most profit possible.
1. Understand Why You Are Selling Your Home
Your motivation to sell is the
determining factor as to how you will approach the process. It affects
everything from what you set your asking price at to how much time, money
and effort you're willing to invest in order to prepare your home for
sale. For example, if your goal is for a quick sale, this would determine
one approach. If you want to maximize your profit, the sales process might
take longer thus determining a different approach.
2. Keep the Reason(s) You are Selling to
Yourself
The reason(s) you are selling
your home will affect the way you negotiate its sale. By keeping this to
yourself you don't provide ammunition to your prospective buyers. For
example, should they learn that you must move quickly, you could be placed
at a disadvantage in the negotiation process. When asked, simply say that
your housing needs have changed. Remember, the reason( s) you are selling
is only for you to know .
3. Before Setting a Price - Do Your
Homework
When you set your price, you make
buyers aware of the absolute maximum they have to pay for your home. As a
seller, you will want to get a selling price as close to the list price as
possible. If you start out by pricing too high you run the risk of not
being taken seriously by buyers and their agents and pricing too low can
result in selling for much less than you were hoping for.
Setting Your Home's Sale Price
If You Live in a Subdivision - If
your home is comprised of similar or identical floor plans, built in the
same period, simply look at recent sales in your neighborhood subdivision
to give you a good idea of what your home is worth.
If You Live in An Older
Neighborhood - As neighborhoods change over time each home may be
different in minor or substantial ways. Because of this you will probably
find that there aren't many homes truly comparable to your own. In this
case you may want to consider seeking a Realtor ® to help you with the
pricing process.
If You Decide to Sell On Your Own
- A good way to establish a value is to look at homes that have sold in
your neighborhood within the past 6 months, including those now on the
market. This is how prospective buyers will assess the worth of your home.
Also a trip to City Hall can provide you with home sale information in its
public records, for most communities.
4. Do Some "Home Shopping" Yourself
The best way to learn about your
competition and discover what turns buyers off is to check out other open
houses. Note floor plans, condition, appearance, size of lot, location and
other features. Particularly note, not only the asking prices but what
they are actually selling for. Remember, if you're serious about getting
your home sold fast, don't price it higher than your neighbor's.
5. When Getting an Appraisal is a Benefit
Sometimes a good appraisal can be
a benefit in marketing your home. Getting an appraisal is a good way to
let prospective buyers know that your home can be financed. However, an
appraisal does cost money, has a limited life, and there's no guarantee
you'll like the figure you hear.
6. Tax Assessments - What They Really Mean
Some people think that tax
assessments are a way of evaluating a home. The difficulty here is that
assessments are based on a number of criteria that may not be related to
property values, so they may not necessarily reflect your home's true
value.
7. Deciding Upon a Realtor ®
According to the National
Association of Realtors, nearly two-thirds of the people surveyed who sell
their own homes say they wouldn't do it again themselves. Primary reasons
included setting a price, marketing handicaps, liability concerns, and
time constraints. When deciding upon a Realtor ® , consider two or three.
Be as wary of quotes that are too low as those that are too high.
All Realtors ® are not the same!
A professional Realtor ® knows the market and has information on past
sales, current listings, a marketing plan, and will provide their
background and references. Evaluate each candidate carefully on the basis
of their experience, qualifications, enthusiasm and personality. Be sure
you choose someone that you trust and feel confident that they will do a
good job on your behalf.
If you choose to sell on your
own, you can still talk to a Realtor ® . Many are more than willing to
help do-it-your-selfers with paperwork, contracts, etc. and should
problems arise, you now have someone you can readily call upon.
8. Ensure You Have Room to Negotiate
Before settling on your asking
price make sure you leave yourself enough room in which to bargain. For
example, set your lowest and highest selling price. Then check your
priorities to know if you'll price high to maximize your profit or price
closer to market value if you want sell quickly.
9. Appearances Do Matter - Make them Count!
Appearance is so critical that it
would be unwise to ignore this when selling your home. The look and "feel"
of your home will generate a greater emotional response than any other
factor. Prospective buyers react to what they see, hear, feel, and smell
even though you may have priced your home to sell.
10. Invite the Honest Opinions of Others
The biggest mistake you can make
at this point is to rely solely on your own judgment. Don't be shy about
seeking the honest opinions of others. You need to be objective about your
home's good points as well as bad. Fortunately, your Realtor ® will be
unabashed about discussing what should be done to make your home more
marketable.
11. Get it Spic n' Span Clean and Fix
Everything, Even If It Seems Insignificant
Scrub, scour, tidy up,
straighten, get rid of the clutter, declare war on dust, repair squeaks,
the light switch that doesn't work, and the tiny crack in the bathroom
mirror because these can be deal-killers and you'll never know what turns
buyers off. Remember, you're not just competing with other resale homes,
but brand-new ones as well.
12. Allow Prospective Buyers to Visualize
Themselves in Your Home
The last thing you want
prospective buyers to feel when viewing your home is that they may be
intruding into someone's life. Avoid clutter such as too many
knick-knacks, etc. Decorate in neutral colors, like white or beige and
place a few carefully chosen items to add warmth and character. You can
enhance the attractiveness of your home with a well-placed vase of flowers
or potpourri in the bathroom. Home-decor magazines are great for tips.
13. Deal Killer Odors - Must Go!
You may not realize but odd
smells like traces of food, pets and smoking odors can kill deals quickly.
If prospective buyers know you have a dog, or that you smoke, they'll
start being aware of odors and seeing stains that may not even exist.
Don't leave any clues.
14. Be a Smart Seller - Disclose Everything
Smart sellers are proactive in disclosing all known defects to their
buyers in writing. This can reduce liability and prevent law suits later
on.
15. It's Better With More Prospects
When you maximize your home's
marketability, you will most likely attract more than one prospective
buyer. It is much better to have several buyers because they will compete
with each other; a single buyer will end up competing with you.
16. Keep Emotions in Check During
Negotiations
Let go of the emotion you've
invested in your home. Be detached, using a business-like manner in your
negotiations. You'll definitely have an advantage over those who get
caught up emotionally in the situation.
17. Learn Why Your Buyer is Motivated
The better you know your buyers
the better you can use the negotiation process to your advantage. This
allows you to control the pace and duration of the process.
As a rule, buyers are looking to
purchase the best affordable property for the least amount of money.
Knowing what motivates them enables you to negotiate more effectively. For
example, does your buyer need to move quickly. Armed with this information
you are in a better position to bargain.
18. What the Buyer Can Really Pay
As soon as possible, try to learn
the amount of mortgage the buyer is qualified to carry and how much
his/her down payment is. If their offer is low, ask their Realtor ® about
the buyer's ability to pay what your home is worth.
19. When the Buyer Would Like to Close
Quite often, when buyers would
"like" to close is when they need to close. Knowledge of their deadlines
for completing negotiations again creates a negotiating advantage for you.
20. Never Sign a Deal on Your Next Home
Until You Sell Your Current Home
Beware of closing on your new
home while you're still making mortgage payments on the old one or you
might end up becoming a seller who is eager (even desperate) for the first
deal that comes along.
21. Moving Out Before You Sell Can Put You
at a Disadvantage
It has been proven that it's more
difficult to sell a home that is vacant because it becomes forlorn
looking, forgotten, no longer an appealing sight. Buyers start getting the
message that you have another home and are probably motivated to sell.
This could cost you thousands of dollars.
22. Deadlines Create A Serious Disadvantage
Don't try to sell by a certain
date. This adds unnecessary pressure and is a serious disadvantage in
negotiations.
23. A Low Offer - Don't Take It Personally
Invariably the initial offer is
below what both you and the buyer knows he'll pay for your property. Don't
be upset, evaluate the offer objectively. Ensure it spells out the
offering price, sufficient deposit, amount of down payment, mortgage
amount, a closing date and any special requests. This can simply provide a
starting point from which you can negotiate.
24. Turn That Low Offer Around
You can counter a low offer or
even an offer that's just under your asking price. This lets the buyer
know that the first offer isn't seen as being a serious one. Now you'll be
negotiating only with buyers with serious offers.
25. Maybe the Buyer's Not Qualified
If you feel an offer is
inadequate, now is the time to make sure the buyer is qualified to carry
the size of mortgage the deal requires. Inquire how they arrived at their
figure, and suggest they compare your price to the prices of homes for
sale in your neighborhood.
26. Ensure the Contract is Complete
To avoid problems, ensure that
all terms, costs and responsibilities are spelled out in the contract of
sale. It should include such items as the date it was made, names of
parties involved, address of property being sold, purchase price, where
deposit monies will be held, date for loan approval, date and place of
closing, type of deed, including any contingencies that remain to be
settled and what personal property is included (or not) in the sale.
27. Resist Deviating From the Contract
For example, if the buyer
requests a move-in prior to closing, just say no. That you've been advised
against it. Now is not the time to take any chances of the deal falling
through.
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Summer Health Dangers
When the temperature soars and humidity rises, it's time to take
precautions to avoid health consequences such as heat exhaustion, heat
stroke and overexposure to the sun. With heat exhaustion and stroke, the
most susceptible are seniors, children, and people with chronic illnesses.
However, everyone is at risk. The early symptoms of heat exhaustion can
sneak up on us. Some people feel a bit light headed and weak and might have
a touch of nausea. The serious problems develop when symptoms are ignored
and additional fluids are not taken right away. The primary cause of heat
exhaustion is dehydration and a loss of electrolytes such as sodium.
Generally, try to stay well hydrated and take in extra salt (for those of
you who can use salt). Drink even though you don't feel like it - you can't
count on your thirst mechanism to prompt you. Here are the major symptoms of
heat exhaustion and heat stroke and some safety tips to help you cope with
health emergencies during the dog days of summer.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Body temperature usually normal or only slightly elevated.
- Dry mouth.
- Fatigue, weakness.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
- Weak and rapid pulse.
- Sweating.
- Cool, clammy, pale skin.
NOTE: Symptoms take time to develop - sometimes several hours after
dehydration occurs.
Treatments for heat exhaustion:
- Get out of the sun and into a cool place.
- Drink more fluids (electrolyte sports drinks may help), but don't
drink too fast or you could become nauseous.
- Eat salty snacks.
- Rest.
- Loosen clothing.
Be aware that heat stroke can come after heat exhaustion, but it can also
develop quickly and independently if one's core body temperature rises too
high.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Very high body temperature (103 degrees or higher).
- Hot, dry, red skin.
- No sweating.
- Disorientation, hallucinations, delirium.
- Rapid breathing and fast pulse, then slow breathing and weak pulse.
- Convulsions.
- Loss of consciousness.
NOTE: Symptoms can come on quickly. Heat stroke can occur within 10 - 15
minutes of the first symptoms. If treatment is not given immediately,
permanent damage can occur to internal organs.
HEAT STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. CALL 9-1-1 OR TRANSPORT VICTIM TO A
HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.
Immediate care for a heat stroke victim includes:
- Move person to cool place indoors or in the shade outdoors.
- Lower body temperature as soon as possible.
- Remove clothing and wrap person in a wet sheet, or wet their cotton
clothing.
- Fan person with electric fan or manually (do not place wet items too
close to electric fan).
- Place ice packs or cold compresses on the neck, under armpits, and in
the groin area.
- If child is unconscious, carefully place them in cool water up to
their neck.
- If child is conscious, try to get them to drink cool water, slowly.
- Person may not be able to drink if delirious (do not force them).
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