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FEATURED
HOME
START
YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME ON BEAUTIFUL TIMS
FORD LAKE!
76 Longview
Trail
Estill Springs, TN 37330
$689,000
MLS # 933285
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New lakefront home, built close to the
water with big water views. This home features a floating dock,
hardwood floors, central vacuum system, a security system, crown
molding, and a covered deck.
Downstairs area has built-in wet bar.
Beautiful home features 4 Bedrooms and 3.5 baths - lots
of room for family and friends.
Nashville Boat and Sports Show
January 9 - 13, 2008 at the Nashville Convention Center
Visit our booth and register to win prizes
Whether you’re a new
homeowner or you’ve been in your house for years, why not resolve to
make 2008 “the year” you whip your house and household finances in top
shape? It could prevent you from encountering costly problems down the
road - and assist you in getting top dollar when it comes time to sell.
The first thing you
should do is develop and then implement a maintenance plan.
Water. Check visible
water pipes and sewer lines for cracks, rusting and leaking; turn on
faucets to test water pressure and volume; and look for clogged or
sluggish drains or dripping faucets. If pipes are galvanized or steel
and the house is old, be sure to check carefully along the entire length
of the pipe. Wrap your pipes with heating tape every winter and insulate
unfinished rooms such as garages if they contain exposed pipes. Also
check for signs of leaking or rusting on your water heater.
Electricity. Check your electrical system’s load center and see if there
are fuses or circuit breakers; also check its age and look for signs of
wear or exposed wires.
Heat. Check your heating system for gas leaks and cracks in the heat
exchanger. Maintain your furnace, fireplace, boiler, water heater, space
heater and wood-burning stove and have your heating system serviced
every year. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and
cold-air returns.
Gas. Check smoke and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and
change your heating and air conditioning filters. Have your appliances
inspected for gas leaks and adequate ventilation.
Insulation. Your attic should be five to 10 degrees warmer than outside
air. Check weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors and
replace or repair it as needed. Also repair broken glass and loose or
missing putty on windows.
Basement/Attic. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will protect
your pipes from freezing. Check the basement for signs of water leaking,
dampness, flooding, dry rot and termites. Check the attic for signs of
leaks and any rodent or insect infestation.
Exterior. Remove all debris from gutters. Maintain your steps and
handrails. Inspect your roof for damaged or loose shingles; gaps in the
flashing where the roofing and siding meet vents and flues; and damaged
mortar around the chimney (especially at the joints, caps and washes).
Inspect your home’s exterior walls, looking for possible weather-related
damage like cracks and loose or crumbling mortar.
You should also resolve to get your finances in order. Eric Tyson and
Ray Brown in their book Home Buying for Dummies say it’s especially
important to build up your reserves and get your financial house in
order after you buy a home.
You should begin by resisting the temptation to splurge. Refrain from
using a credit card and keep your other financial goals, like
retirement, in mind. You should have at least three months’ salary in
your emergency fund. Try to stay away from unnecessary spending until
you reach this goal.
Think about E-payments,
which ensure that you never pay late, and late payments can tack on an
extra five percent late payment fee.
You’ll also want to
think about taxes and refinancing options.
If home prices have
dropped in your neighborhood since you’ve moved in, you may want to
consider appealing your assessment since the tax is based on your home’s
value in most communities. Also keep your financial documents organized
so you’ll be more prepared at tax time.
If interest rates go
down, think about taking out a new loan at the lower rate to replace
your original loan. Be sure to consider how much refinancing the loan
will cost you. Refinancing won’t benefit you unless you plan on staying
put for at least five years.
Also, plan and budget
for any major repair, remodeling or decorating projects you’d like to
pursue in 2008. Take your time, shop around for the best prices, and if
you’re hiring a contractor, get plenty of references.
If you’ve been putting
off landscaping your house, make plans to do it now. The right landscape
can increase the value of your home by 15 percent, allowing you to
recoup 100 to 200 percent of your investment, according to the
Association of Landscape Contractors of America.
And if you do any home
improvement projects, keep your receipts. You may be eligible to
minimize the capital gain that may come your way when you eventually
sell. The improvement must be one that permanently increases the value
and useful life of the house (like a new roof).
By keeping your house
and finances in order in 2008, you’re sure to thank yourself at this
time next year.
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