Furnace Tune Ups -- Not Just a Bunch of Hot Air

When we're down in the basement, we usually walk past the furnace without giving it a second thought -- until the weather changes and it’s time to turn it on! Having your furnace checked out by a licensed technician will ensure confidence when the time comes to fire it up.

The last thing you want is for your heat to fail on the coldest night of the year when service calls cost a fortune so treat your furnace like your car and have it maintained on a regular basis. An annual inspection which covers the motor, fan, burner, heat exchanger and thermostat will help you avoid costly repairs.

Give your furnace a quick visual inspection from time to time and make sure you clean or replace your furnace filters regularly as dirty air filters block air flow which causes the system to work overtime. Also, keep the area around the furnace clear of obstructions and never store any kind of flammable material nearby.

An efficiently running furnace will reduce heating costs but there are other easy ways to save money. Seal up air leaks with caulk or weather strips and always open your drapes on sunny days and close them at night to keep the heat in. The easiest way to save though is to turn down the thermostat and add an extra layer of clothing!

Regular maintenance will increase efficiency, reduce energy use and prevent general wear and tear. Having your furnace serviced so it works at its optimum performance level is more of an investment than an expense as it'll keep your hard earned cash where it belongs -- in your wallet!

What's Your Home Worth?

Your home's a huge asset so you'll of course want to keep tabs on its value. A real estate agent can assist you by providing a “Comparative Market Analysis” (CMA) which is a report that determines your home's value by comparing it to similar properties that have recently sold. This will enable you to set a competitive price should you decide to sell.

Online home evaluations are quick and easy but aren't very accurate as they don't take the finer details into account. If you choose to go online, it's best to use a local real estate agent who specializes in your area rather than a national website. It's best though to have a real estate agent come by in person to gather information as it will result in a much more accurate CMA.

Professional appraisers charge up to $750 so a CMA is an excellent alternative. The report, which is usually complimentary and comes with no obligation, is essential to setting a competitive asking price. The right price is crucial to achieving a successful sale as it'll help attract the greatest number of buyers which in turn will help your home sell faster and for top dollar. A CMA's also helpful during negotiations as concrete facts will help justify your asking price.

After your agent has gathered information on your home, they’ll research properties in your area that have recently sold as well as current homes on the market and recently expired listings. They'll compare homes in the area that are similar in style, square footage, age, lot size, etc. and adjust for factors such as extra bathrooms or finished basements. The home's condition and other issues like surrounding houses (i.e. is it the biggest house on the street) will also play a part in determining fair market value.

You don’t have to necessarily be ready to sell your home to receive a CMA from a real estate agent. If you’re thinking about renovating your home for instance, your real estate agent can provide an estimate on how much value certain renovations will add to your home so you can move confidently forward knowing the facts. On the other hand, if you're curious about what the house down the street sold for, they can help you out with that too.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, make sure to have an agent provide you with a CMA. This important service will ensure you have an accurate, up to date idea of your home’s true market value. This will in turn help you get top dollar for your home, because incorrectly pricing your home is a mistake that could end up costing you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.

To find out what you're home is worth, contact your Diane Turton Agent today! If you are currently not working with a Diane Turton Agent, visit our website www.dianeturton.com and receive a report within 1 BUSINESS DAY!

Thinking Outside the (Lunch) Box!

It’s that time of year again when we have to think of inspiring school lunch ideas! It’s frustrating when the lunch you lovingly pack for your little one is either traded or comes home uneaten, so here are a few fresh ideas:

• Instead of the usual ham sandwich, mix it up by making mini pizzas on english muffins, tuna on pita bread, turkey tortillas pinwheels or bagels with apple butter.
• Kids love to assemble things themselves so put in the fixings and encourage them to build their own sandwich – they’re more likely to eat it that way!
• Make healthy desserts by using dates or dried fruits in cookies Carrot cake and homemade banana bread will also be a big hit! Make extra and freeze portions for down the road.

There are lots of simple ways to jazz up lunch box choices and sometimes it’s as simple as cutting sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters or adding new, exotic fruit. It's not always easy getting your kids to eat the right types of food but a little creativity will go a long way.

The Importance of Specifying Fixtures

Taking Everything But the Kitchen Sink!

Your excitement is boundless as you walk through your new home a few days before closing. Good feelings quickly turn sour though as you discover that the beautiful, antique chandelier you fell in love with has vanished.

Now imagine you're the seller. You're feeling sentimental at the thought of leaving your home of so many years. You’re getting ready to move and are carefully packing up the chandelier your grandmother passed on to you when you receive an irate call from the buyers who are livid that it’s been removed!

Unfortunately this scenario plays out all too often because the importance of addressing fixtures early on in the real estate process is often overlooked. Real estate law isn’t always black and white in terms of what stays and what goes so if you’re planning on selling your home, you’ll want to make a list in advance of what you’re including and excluding.

A fixture is usually something that’s attached to the building in such a way that buyers will assume it's included such as light fixtures, ceiling fans and doorknobs. Personal items (often referred to as chattels) are items such as potted plants, hanging mirrors and artwork. Window coverings can be a murky area but curtain rods are usually considered fixtures while the actual curtains are not.

If a fixture has sentimental value, it’s best to remove it before the showing process rather than writing it into the exclusions. If a seller doesn’t know it’s there then they won’t miss it. If they see it during the showing, chances are they’ll fall in love with it and will be annoyed to discover later on that it’s not included with the home.

If you're taking a fixture with you but don’t want to take it down before you move, you must clearly state it in writing. If you’re a buyer, make sure you read the listing carefully and ask your real estate agent for assistance if something’s not clear. Some non-fixtures are negotiable, for example appliances are often written into a contract to make the home more attractive to first time buyers.

Ensure you proactively detail your exclusions (as well as inclusions) as soon as you put your home on the market in order to avoid upset buyers and unnecessary legal fees. Whether you’re selling or buying, you’ll want a smooth transaction where both parties have ownership over what they expected and are happy with the outcome.

The Hard Reality of a Soft Market

If you're listing your home during a downswing, you'll need to follow a specific plan of action to ensure you receive the most amount of money possible.

Here are some strategies to assist you in selling your home during slower times:

• Buyer Incentives - Many sellers offer incentives such as appliances, furniture or help with closing costs to make their home more attractive during a competitive market. These little extras can really make a difference especially to first time buyers who don't have much left after their down payment.
• Price to Sell - Pricing your home correctly in a competitive market is absolutely critical. It's best to set the price a little less than comparable homes in order to acquire a competitive edge. Overpricing your home can be disastrous as not only will it quickly lose its 'just listed' appeal but the market could decline further causing you to 'chase the market' into a downward spiral of price reductions.
• Use an Agent - You may want to reconsider if you're thinking of selling your home yourself to save commission. A real estate agent exposes your property to a larger supply of potential prospects which creates more demand. Your chances of selling for a higher price are far better with an agent. It's tough times like these when you need an agent the most.
• Consider All Offers - You may have to be somewhat flexible with your price so it's important to seriously consider all offers no matter how low they are. Keep your emotions out of the negotiation process and remember that every offer has the potential to significantly increase despite your first impression.
• Get Ready, Get Set, Show - In a competitive market, you have to be ready to show your home on a moments notice so keep it ultra clean and clutter free. Walk through each room and pack away personal items like photos and sentimental knick knacks. Space is a huge selling feature so remove any unnecessary furniture to make your home appear larger.
• 1st Class Curb Appeal - First impressions are especially critical in a competitive market. With so many homes to choose from, buyers may not even bother seeing the inside based on the home's exterior. Stand outside your home with a friend who'll be honest so you can figure out different ways to make it more appealing to prospects.

For every dark cloud, there's a silver lining. Although the market may have slumped, try and stay positive throughout the entire process knowing that you'll likely negotiate a great deal on the purchase price of your next home! Just make sure your financing's arranged so that when you receive a suitable offer on your property, you'll be in a position to confidently move ahead.

How to Make the Super Bowl Fun for Toddlers

The Superbowl is one of the few nights a year that many people attend or hold a party. Parents of a toddler don't want to miss out on the fun just because they have a young child. Instead of staying home, there are some easy ways to make the toddler part of the action.

Things You'll Need:

• Superbowl clothing
• Football-related crafts and games

1. Dress the child in team gear. Make your toddler look like a true fan and outfit him with team gear or colors. He will get lots of compliments, enhance his mood and encourage interest in the Superbowl.
2. Let the toddler help in the kitchen. Toddlers love to be helpful. They can assist with the food preparation by mixing brownie batter, pouring chips into bowls and helping throw away trash.
3. Encourage the child to get involved in the Superbowl. This is one of few nights that your toddler can yell, jump and run all over the house to cheer the team. Since many party guests are likely to be behaving in the same fashion, it will not be a challenge to get your toddler to join in the fun.
4. Bring football-related crafts and games to do in the car or when the Superbowl action slows down. Since a toddler's span of attention is not extremely long, bring something to distract him when needed. Simple arts and crafts ideas include football coloring sheets or activity books.
5. Forget about bedtime. As difficult as it may be, don't stress over bedtime. One night off schedule will not cause irrevocable harm. In fact, it will probably encourage the toddler to sleep a little more the next day.

Warning About Shopping For Gift Cards This Holiday Season!

Gift Card Warning: Check Retailer's Health

Two-thirds of shoppers plan to give gift cards this holiday season, making those little plastic cards the second most popular gift after clothes, according to a national survey by Consumer Reports. But some experts warn that these gifts could be worthless if the current trend of retail bankruptcies continues.

Diane Turton wants to give you the heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored afterward.

Stores that are planning to close after the holidays are still selling cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankrupcy Planning.'

Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about:

Circuit City filed Chapter 11
Ann Taylor 117 stores closing nationwide
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close 27 stores; More to close after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores; More to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing all stores
Levitz closing remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores; More to close after January
Home Depot closing 15 stores; 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens 'N Things closing all stores
Movie Galley closing all stores
Pep Boys closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a many stores after January
Ethan Allen closing 12 stores
Wilson Leather closing all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
KB Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close some stores
Dillard's to close some stores

It is estimated that consumers will lose about $100 million this year on gift cards due to bankruptcies. If you are still holding on to gift cards from last Christmas or birthday, now is the time to use them. If you are planning to purchase gifts cards as presents this year, check up on your retailer's health or opt for a "Mall Gift Card” instead.

No More Wall Paper Woes

No More Wall Paper Woes

If you've finally had enough of the brown floral wallpaper in your hallway then take some action! Removing wallpaper may seem like an overwhelming job but the end result's well worth the effort. You can of course rent a steamer or purchase chemically based wallpaper removal paste but we have two solutions below that are much less expensive and just as effective:

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water. Use a paint roller or large brush to apply the solution onto your wallpaper. Once it has throughly soaked through, the paper should peel off easily.
• Use a spray bottle filled with a half-and-half mixture of fabric conditioner and hot water and apply to the wallpaper. Leave on for about 30 seconds and then scrape and peel away.

Removing wallpaper can be a messy job so make sure you prepare the room first by laying drop cloths over your furniture and the floor and have a garbage can handy for cleanup. Once all the wallpaper has been removed, wash the walls with warm water and let them dry throughly before prepping the walls to be painted. Wallpaper's not as hard to remove as most people think so don't let it deter you from buying your next home.

Today's Tip For A Greener Life

Which Organic Foods Matter Most?

Research clearly shows that pesticides and chemicals in food adversely affect our health. The more we avoid exposure to these pesticides the better. Even if you wash your produce throughly, pesticide residue still remains and although peeling fruit will eliminate some of the pesticides, you'll also peel away nutrients and fiber.

Research clearly shows that pesticides and chemicals in food adversely affect our health. The more we avoid exposure to these pesticides the better. Even if you wash your produce throughly, pesticide residue still remains and although peeling fruit will eliminate some of the pesticides, you'll also peel away nutrients and fiber.

All certified organic foods must be produced according to strict rules and regulations without chemical pesticides. Buying organic food can be expensive so we've provided a list of fruits and vegetables that usually contain the highest and lowest levels of pesticides:

The Most Chemicals
peaches
apples
bell peppers
celery
nectarines

strawberries
tomatoes
green beans
raspberries
spinach

The Least Chemicals
onions
bananas
frozen sweet corn
pineapples
avocados
mangoes
frozen sweet peas
watermelon
cauliflower
kiwi fruit

We've only discussed fruits and vegetables in this article but other foods such as grains and rice also contain pesticides. Some dairy and meat products contain levels of antibiotics and growth hormones so it's important to educate yourself on the benefits of eating organically. Even if you're on a budget, using the above list will help you make wise, healthy choices that incorporate at least some organic foods.