Keeping the Cold Out:  Strategies to Reduce Fuel Costs this Winter

By Scott Stonebreaker

As temperatures drop this winter season, one thing inevitably rises—your home fueling costs. According to preliminary estimates by the federal government, consumers can expect to pay 47 percent more for natural gas home-heat this year than they did last winter, due in part to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on natural gas production facilities. And rising prices are expected for consumers of fuel oil, propane and electricity as well. With this winter’s forecast, ensuring your home is energy-wise is an essential step for all homeowners.
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by Scott Stonebreaker

If you’re building a new home you may feel that working with a homebuilder is a daunting task, especially if you’ve heard of people who’ve had a bad experience. However, do not assume “one bad apple spoils the bunch,” when it comes to builders. As with any industry, there are a handful of unscrupulous companies consumers need to be weary of. While most builders are reputable, it’s up to you, the consumer, to do your homework to ensure you’re comfortable with the builder you’ve selected and that you understand the building process you’re about encounter. Don’t let fears and misconceptions keep you from the home of your dreams. Here’s how to get started with confidence:

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By Scott Stonebreaker

Before you go to settlement on a new home, you and your builder will do a “walk through” to conduct a final inspection.  The walk-through provides an opportunity for you to spot items which may need to be corrected or adjusted, and allows you to learn about the way your new home works.

Often, a builder will use the walk to educate buyers about:

• The operation of the house’s components.
• The buyer’s responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep.
• Warranty coverage and procedures.
• The larger community in which the home is located.

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How the Forces of Nature Affect Your Home

By Scott Stonebreaker

Under normal conditions your home keeps you warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and dry when it rains. But wind, rain, snow, cold, drought, heat and sun all effect the condition of your home and extreme weather can have a severe impact on its structure. Home builders are knowledgeable about the weather conditions in their areas and build homes with materials that are best suited to the environment, but proper maintenance is important to keep your home in good condition to withstand the forces of nature.
Here is how weather conditions take their toll.
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Enjoy the Great Outdoors this Summer with a Deck or Patio

By Scott Stonebreaker

Summer is  a time to gather together with friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors. A new deck or patio can be the perfect gathering place, adding a new dimension to your yard and creating space that you didn’t even know you had. A well-planned outdoor living space can become a homeowner’s backyard getaway, but the wrong deck or patio can end up as unused dead space. Keep the following in mind and in no time you’ll find yourself enjoying the sunshine from your outdoor retreat.

When deciding on whether you’d like your new outdoor haven to be a patio or deck, first do some research. Some areas have building codes or terrains that dictate one or the other.  What kind of budget are you looking at? Decks can be a more affordable option than patios, but concrete, while more expensive, tends to be the sturdiest material with the lowest maintenance needs.
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Ten Tips To Sell Your Home

By Scott Stonebreaker

You may think your house is perfect just the way it is, but a prospective buyer may not see it that way. To give your home “curb appeal” and make it more attractive to buyers, there are some tasks you should see to before you place that “For Sale” sign in your front yard.Many of these suggestions are simple, common-sense items; others will require some time and investment. But you’ll reap the rewards when a buyer walks into your house and exclaims, “This is the home I’ve been waiting for!”
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