The Real Estate Book of Lake Norman and Iredell County, NC - Vol 24#1

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Lawn care included. Jump on your boat and enjoy Lake Norman, neighborhood pool and tennis courts with walking trails. Main floor living with 3 bedrooms, Great room, Dining room, Kitchen, breakfast area, Laundry and Rec Rom. Upstairs has flex space with Mini-split, but was unpermitted. Nice screened porch off the side of the home, and Sunroom with mini-split for enjoying year round. Freshly painted. Cul-de-sac street and Cornelius schools. Close to Birkdale, Shopping, movies, restaurants, and easy commute into Charlotte.

$870,000

HOW TO KEEP YOUR WATER HEATER GOING STRONG ALL WINTER LONG

By Anita Ginsburg

It's never convenient to have your water heater stop working, but it is even worse during the winter. To ensure your water heater is fit to last the entire season, here are some tips for routine maintenance that you can perform.

As you cover these points, you can also conduct a mini assessment of your water heater's health to identify any warning signs or potential hazards that may need to be corrected before the temperature drops.

CHECK THE VALVE

Most water heaters are built to last over a decade, but as they age, they require more care and attention. Even just a few minutes of annual maintenance can prevent unnecessary malfunctions and disruptive breakdowns. The first thing you should do prior to winter is check the water pressure valve; it's located on the side of your water heater, and it stops the temperature from rising to dangerous levels.

If too much pressure builds up, though, your water heater tank could actually explode. To release pressure and ensure yours is in tip-top shape, place a bucket beneath your water heater's discharge pipe and lift the pressure-release valve. Water should discharge at this point. If it doesn't, the valve needs to be replaced.

HAVE THE TANK FLUSHED

One of the most common water heater repair jobs is a tank cleaning. This removes built-up residue, dirt and sediment that accumulates throughout the year. Experts recommend annual flushes, which can be done at an affordable cost. Having a technician conduct the cleaning can also ensure your heater is functioning properly as they'll also do a professional inspection. If they notice any other problems, they can inform you about the risk and offer potential solutions. You can add these repairs to the current job or schedule them for later at your convenience.

SET THE TEMPERATURE

Your water heater should be capped at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, so as to prevent scalding and burns. If your heater doesn't have a built-in temperature gauge, you can use a standard cooking thermometer to test the water temperature. If any of the hot water coming from your faucets surpasses 120 degrees, there is a higher risk of mechanical failure, sediment build-up and burn injuries to you and your family.

If you find that your temperature gauge is set properly, but your water is too hot or too cold, contact a professional right away to identify the cause of the problem. Your tank may need flushed or there could be a mechanical issue that needs addressed.

ADD INSULATION

If your water heater is a decade old or even older, it might not be properly insulated. Newer models come insulated to prevent heat loss and maintain system stability. However, older models will require a fiberglass jacket. Make sure that you consult your owner's manual prior to installing any insulation; you should also avoid any type of contact with the furnace's flue. If you aren't sure how to safety insulate your furnace and its pipes, this job can easily be done in a few hours by a licensed plumber.

No one wants to deal with cold water in the middle of winter. To ensure that your home's water stays nice and warm all season long, check your water heater and do some basic maintenance. If you're unsure about something or you notice a problem, have a professional come take a look at it. The sooner you catch potential problems, the easier they will be to take care of!

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2020. All rights reserved.

Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, Colo. You can find her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.

PendletonIndustrial Park, 60’ easement. Presently Zoned RA3. Sewer lift station on property. MLS 3736280. $249,900. American Way.

YES, YOU CAN SELL YOUR HOME IN THE WINTER

YES, YOU CAN SELL YOUR HOME IN THE WINTER

Chances are, you’ve heard that the best time to list your home for sale is the spring. And while there is a lot to be said about selling your home in the spring (or even summer or fall), there are many benefits to selling your home right now – in the winter! Believe it or not, this could actually be the right time for you to sell.

If you choose to do so, follow these ideas for making the most out of your winter listing.

Price it right.

There might be a smaller pool of prospective buyers in the winter, but you’ll find that the pool is extremely motivated to buy. Someone looking to buy a home during the holidays or middle of winter has a compelling reason to do so and will be ready to move quickly. This makes your pricing strategy critical. Discuss a strategy with your realtor to arrive at a price that factors in and attracts fewer, but more serious, buyers.

Make accessibility a priority.

If snow and ice is a factor for you in winter, you will need to be diligent about removal. Make sure driveways and walkways are always clear of treacherous ice. Invest in a plow service and stay stocked up on sidewalk salt.

Keep things warm.

Nothing will turn buyers off faster in winter than walking into a cold house, so make sure your heating system is operating at full capacity. And make sure that’s the case for every room in the house. If there’s one bedroom that tends to be drafty, now’s the time to find out the cause and resolve the issue.

Provide visuals of your home in summer.

One major thing a buyer might not be able to get an accurate picture of in winter is your outdoor space. Provide photos online and in person to prospective buyers that include shots of your backyard, patio, pool, garden, yard, etc., all looking their best in the summer. Your agent could also prepare a slideshow to play at an open house. Doing so gives a buyer a better idea of the home in all seasons and could really seal the deal for wintertime buyers.

Pay attention to holiday decor.

A few tasteful and neutral holiday decorations such as glowing white lights, fragrant evergreens and elegant metallic touches can really make your home glow and sparkle. But remember that less is always more – you don’t want to try and sell your home while it’s part of a Tacky Light Tour. And be sure to pack up those decorations as soon as the holidays have passed. Marketing your home with holiday lights on in the middle of January will not play in your favor.

With the help of these tips and your trusted realtor, the market for your house will be hot, unlike the weather outside.

“Because Experience Counts!”

Serving Lake Norman for over 35 Years!

One level home in fabulous Cornelius neighborhood. Deeded boat slip and Lawn care included. Jump on your boat and enjoy Lake Norman, neighborhood pool and tennis courts with walking trails. Main floor living with 3 bedrooms, Great room, Dining room, Kitchen, breakfast area, Laundry and Rec Rom. Upstairs has flex space with Mini-split, but was unpermitted. Nice screened porch off the side of the home, and Sunroom with mini-split for enjoying year round. Freshly painted. Cul-de-sac street and Cornelius schools. Close to Birkdale, Shopping, movies, restaurants, and easy commute into Charlotte. See attachments for Highway 73 Rd Improvements and update. $870,000

Walk to Grocery Store, Shopping, Dining, a lovely Pond to stroll around, & just a short walk to Lake Davidson, Davidson College & quaint Main Street. Open floor plan, 2 car garage w/an area for a home gym or storage. Rooftop terrace. Completely furnished & all appliances to remain. HOA dues include water & sewer. 1st floor has alley entry into the unit or you can enter the townhome from the street into the 2nd floor that has, Living Room, Kitchen w/granite, hardwoods, a Pantry, Half BA & Dining area w/hardwoods. 3rd floor has the Laundry Closet, Owner's Suite & 2nd BR w/2nd Full BA. $345,000

WATERFRONT LOT! LARGE WATERFRONT PROPERTY IS A COMBINATION OF 2 LOTS! Quiet neighborhood and best of all it already has a dock in place and has shoreline improvements. Corner lot in quiet subdivision with no HOA and minimal restrictive covenants. Soil Scientist is already working on drawing up a system to acquire Health Department approval. Low Iredell county taxes.

$329,000

DEEDED BOATSLIP!

HISTORIC DAVIDSON!

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