2 • norman homes • 11.30.2013 • The Norman Transcript
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TABLE Contents
PAGE4 for the BUYERS
PAGE9 for the DECORATORS
PAGE6 for the SELLERS
PAGE10 for the REPAIRERS
Publisher Terry Connor
Advertising Director Debbi Knoll
Executive Editor Andy Reiger
Production Manager Rob Rasor
Advertising Representatives Nick Sheats Sherry Romack Trevor Wolfe Rebekah Collins Jan Giza Kim Lehenbauer Robin Escarcega
homes is a weekly publication of The Norman Transcript, 215 E. Comanche St, Norman, OK 73070. (Phone: 405.321.1800). Letters or editorial contributions should be sent to: abode, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK, 73070 or emailed to hcruz@normantranscript.com. N-town is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permissions is prohibited. Address advertising inquiries to Debbi Knoll, 405-366-3554 or dknoll@normantranscript.com. homes can be found online.
Safely deck the halls this holiday season Spending time around a warm fireplace is an indelible holiday image. The entire family hanging stockings from the mantle while a fire roars below can make for a cozy evening and set the scene for the season to come. While the warm glow of candles and a blazing fire are key components of holiday decor, some holiday decorations have potential to be dangerous if homeowners are not careful. Fireplaces Gathering around the fireplace is a holiday tradition for many families. But it is important to remember basic safety precautions when doing so. • Fireplaces can become quite hot no matter which type of fuel they burn. Draperies and other fabric should not be hung too close to fireplaces and stoves. • The glass and screens that cover fireplaces should be used to prevent sparks and embers from entering a room. • Keep children away from fireplaces while they are in use. • Have fireplaces professionally cleaned each year and inspected by a certified chimney specialist. The United States Fire Administration says heating fires account for 36 percent of residential home fires each year. Clearing the chimney of creosote can reduce accidental chimney fires. • Do not leave fires unattended for long periods of time or allow them to burn overnight. • Keep Christmas trees far away from fireplaces. Christmas trees can easily ignite, and the heat from the fire can dry them out
over time. Candles Candles used to decorate Christmas trees and the like were once the norm. However, candles can easily tip over and start a fire. Today there are far safer alternatives to providing holiday illumination. • Flameless candles use a twinkling LED light to create the atmosphere of an actual candle. They can be purchased in all different shapes and sizes. • Use electric lights on a Christmas tree instead of lit candles. Christmas Lights Many brands of Christmas lights are UL-listed and tested for safety. But safety precautions are necessary when stringing lights as well. • Do not overload circuits with too many lights strung together. Doing so is a fire hazard and can cause overheating. • Use caution when putting lights outside. Purchase lights that specifically mention outside use. Have a person help you string lights when you must climb a ladder. Spotters can help prevent injuries. • Keep dogs and cats away from Christmas lights. They can become tangled or chew on wires and get shocked.
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Things to Consider Before Buying a Home 1. Visit at various times of day The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highwayfeeder street during morning or evening rush hour; or it may be near impossible to get from your quiet street across traffic and onto the feeder street in the morning. The adjacent school may seem like a nice perk if you’re buying in the summer, but during the school year, daily playground noise and extra traffic may be more than you bargained for. 2. Look through recent newspaper archives “Make sure you’re getting information on what you can’t see,” Levine suggests. Perhaps the municipal water well that feeds your neighborhood has high levels of contaminants or a proposed high-voltage power line may soon be coming through your back yard. You can also check with the city or county to see if there are any proposed projects. 3. Talk to neighbors How many people in the neighborhood own their homes? Sometimes it’s hard to tell at first if you’re choosing a neighborhood that’s primarily rental houses. 4. Ask if neighborhood has an association “Is there a newsletter for it? How often does the neighborhood get together? Do they have a block party every year?” Levine asks. “Even if you don’t plan to attend, the fact that they’re having a gathering says they care about their community, that they want to get to know each other, that they’re willing
to socialize that way. People who behave that way are building a community. They’re going to look out for your kids; they’re going to look out for your house. It’s a nice, safe way to celebrate something.”
walls of glass in a modern home – but those winter heating and summer cooling bills may push your monthly payments beyond affordable. Ditto for the water bills you’ll pay to maintain a pristine landscape.
5. Quiz the sellers What problems are they aware of that the house had in the past – even if they’ve been fixed? An ice dam five years ago may have caused water damage that has since been repaired. But it’s good to know that the house may be prone to ice dams so you can take preventive measures rather than find out the hard way. Discovering the basement flooding was solved by building up the landscaping in a particular area will prevent you from leveling the ground there in later years.
9. Pay close attention to taxes Don’t just ask what the seller’s most recent tax bill was; ask what several recent tax bills have been. In some areas, houses are re-appraised – and taxed at higher rates – frequently. That great deal and good investment may not seem quite so grand if the property taxes skyrocket year after year. Again, look at newspaper archives or talk to your Realtor about the way taxes are used in this area. In some cities, schools are substantially funded through property taxes – which means you can count on yours increasing regularly.
6. Don’t assume remodeling will be easy. If you voice your ideas to the sellers, you may be able to glean valuable insights. For instance, perhaps that shower is in an odd location because, when remodeling 10 years ago, the previous owners discovered a costly structural impediment to putting a shower where it would seem more appropriate. 7. Consider the view “So many neighborhoods now have teardowns. So look at the two houses on either side of you. If this neighborhood has had some teardowns, one of those houses might be a candidate. And they may build some behemoth structure that affects your light or the way your house looks or your view,” Levine says. 8. Ask for utility bills You may adore the Cape Cod architectural style or the high ceilings and
10. Reconsider the bells and whistles Are you sure you can live with a one-car garage, or a detached garage, or on-street parking? The pool may be a nice bonus, but can you afford the upkeep? 11. Explore the surrounding area If you’re not just making a cross-town move, you may not know that only three blocks away, this pretty neighborhood backs up to a dumpy commercial area or a less-thansavory part of town. If the home is near an airport, fire station, police station, hospital or railroad track, expect to hear trains, planes or ambulances throughout the day and night. Make sure you’re not too close to an agricultural area that may generate odors or kick up dust or other airborne problems. Written by Debrah Artzer for realtytimes.com
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Winter renovations to boost home energy efficiency, add value (BPT) - It’s that time of year again, when the cold wind blows outdoors and your home works as hard as it can to keep you warm and comfortable indoors. Yet your home may be working harder than necessary, while inflating your energy bills in the process. By making a few home renovations this winter, you can boost energy efficiency, save money and add value to your home in the long run. Now is a good time to make energy-efficient renovations. More than 90 percent of the 116 million homes in the United States are expected to have higher heating expenditures this winter compared with last winter, mainly due to changes in energy prices, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Heating and cooling account for about 54 percent of a home’s utility bills, according to energy. gov. Because of this, it makes good sense to make efficiency improvements now. Here are some tips for making your home run more efficiently this winter. Change your furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter can restrict airflow and increase energy use in your home. Keeping your furnace clean, updated and properly adjusted can save about 5 percent on heating costs. To increase the efficiency of your furnace, replace or clean the filters once a month during the high-use months.
Reduce heat loss from windows. Ten to 25 percent of your heating bill each month can often be attributed to heat lost through your home’s windows , according to energy.gov. Replace old windows with more energy efficient ones so your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to manage your home’s desired temperature. Keeping shades and draperies open during the day will also take advantage of the sun’s warmth and allow for a more efficient system. Create an energy command center. Some of the newest technologies literally put home energy control at your fingertips. For instance, with a Trane ComfortLink II Control you can monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures, adjust your HVAC system for energy efficiency and learn when it’s time to change a filter or schedule routine maintenance - all from a 7-inch touchscreen. It comes paired with an energy management system that analyzes your home’s energy usage 24/7 and reports how much is being spent on electricity. Choose ENERGY STAR products. Your home’s appliances and electronics account for close to 20 percent of your energy bills, according to energy.gov. Using ENERGY STAR-certified products - which incorporate
advanced technologies that use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water than standard models - throughout your home could save nearly $900 over the lifetime of the products. Schedule seasonal maintenance. During the heavy-use winter months, it’s a good idea to schedule an HVAC system checkup. A qualified dealer can perform preventive maintenance to ensure your heating system is operating properly and safely and advise you on ways to improve energy efficiency.
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Holiday decorating not bound to strict schedules Some people are so eager for Christmas to arrive that they simply cannot wait long to transform their homes from the traditional decor into a holiday wonderland. Others prefer to build up the suspense of the season and wait until mid-December before decking the halls. There is no right or wrong time to start decorating, but there are some tips to make that process easier. Christmas items can sometimes be found on store shelves as early as September, and even those homeowners who intend to decorate when
the season is in full swing can purchase items now and then bring them out when the time comes to decorate. Shopping early allows holiday enthusiasts to be more choosy about their decorations. Many families start their holiday decorating on the day after Thanksgiving. Such families should know there are benefits to using artificial greenery in the decor. A real Christmas tree or wreath may dry out and present a fire hazard if purchased too early. If you want the tree in the window for a full month
or more, an artificial tree is a safer choice. Decorating before December also allows families to enjoy their decorations much longer. It can be hard work to decorate the house, and equally arduous to remove those decorations, so decorating earlier allows homeowners to enjoy the fruits of their labors a lot longer than they would if they decorate in December. Some people feel that decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving is a tad too early, and there are advantages to decorating in early or mid-December, when stores have a wider selection of decorations at shoppers’ disposal. Some stores do not display all of their merchandise until after Thanksgiving. If you have your heart set on a natural Christmas tree, decorating later helps to ensure the tree remains fresh,
fragrant and safe with the right care. Homeowners who delay their decorations also can take inventory of what neighbors are doing and design a decorating scheme that blends with the neighborhood or stands out. Some families even prefer to save their decorating until right before Christmas, choosing to decorate on Christmas Eve. Those who prefer to a more religious them to their holiday decorations may prefer to decorate later and keep their decorations on display until the celebration of the Epiphany, when the magi are said to have arrived bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. Whether families enjoy stringing up lights as soon as Thanksgiving is over or waiting until Christmas Eve, there is no wrong way to embrace the spirit of the season.
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