Hinsdale-Homes

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5 Tips to Help Get Your Snowblower Ready for the Winter

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It’s getting to be that time of year again; soon enough SNOW will be on its way! Here are some helpful tips on how to make sure your snow blower is tuned up and ready for the winter.

5 Tips to help get Your Snowblower Ready for the Winter

1. Drain the Old Fuel and Replace with Fresh Fuel

Drain the fuel from your snowblower’s tank or have your local small engine maintenance shop take care of this. If you decide to do it yourself, use extreme care! Work in a well-ventilated area with no open flames or sparks in the surrounding area. Fresh, clean fuel is necessary because old gas absorbs moisture when it sits for long periods of time. A tip for next year: one way to prevent gas that sits from going bad is using a fuel stabilizer. Otherwise, gas typically goes bad in 6 months.

2. Check the Fuel Filter, Fuel Line, and Spark Plugs

These all are recommended to be checked and changed accordingly before each winter season. The fuel filter could be clogged and need to be replaced. Be sure to inspect the fuel line to make sure there are no cracks and that it is still flexible and soft. If you have changed your spark plugs last year or you missed a year of replacements, you’ll probably want to replace them this year.

3. Check the Oil

Be sure to check your snowblowers oil, the oil is essential to the lubrication of the engine. If you’re changing your oil at home, take your old oil to your local oil recycling station.

4. Check Your Tires

Check out the tires to make sure there are no cracks or holes, replace if necessary. After that be sure to inflate the tires to the proper PSI for the upcoming season.

5. TEST IT BEFORE IT SNOWS.

Nothing would be worse than seeing that fresh coat of snow, going outside to start your snowblower and realizing that it doesn’t work. After giving it a fresh tank of gas, take it outside on the driveway start it up and test out all of the controls.

We hope with these 5 tips you’ll have a snowblower that is ready to work hard this winter season. For more helpful home tips, check out our Maintenance Tips page!

 

6 Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Gutter

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Cleaning your gutters isn’t the prettiest or most enjoyable household chore, but it is necessary when owning your own house. Gutters control the flow of rainwater and they are the main defense for your roof, walls, foundation and landscape. Material that can get into the gutters include leaves, branches, dirt and other foreign objects. When these begin to accumulate it can cause a stoppage and your gutters can overflow. Here are 6 reasons why you should always be sure to add “clean the gutters” to your list of to-dos.

What if You Don’t Clean Your Gutters

1. Cracks in your Foundation

If your gutters don’t get cleaned out, they can overflow and begin to pool along your home’s foundation. If that water doesn’t get a chance to drain and freezes it can expand and cause cracks in the foundation. According to HomeAdvisor.com the National Average to repair a foundation is $4,026 with a low end of $450 and a high end of $11,434.

2. Damage to Fascia

Your fascia is the board that runs right behind and underneath your gutter. This board is typically made out of wood and if the water overflows into the fascia board it can deteriorate and rot away. Replacing your Fascia board can cost anywhere from $15 to $25 a linear food if you get it installed professionally.

3. Roof Damage

Similar to the fascia board, if your gutters overflow with water, your roof can begin to rot. Replacing a roof can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $8,400. This is an expensive, labor-intensive job that can come along with not cleaning your gutters.

4. Damage to Gutter Brackets

The weight of the debris that falls into the gutter is something people don’t typically think about. If enough debris falls into the gutter, it can be too much weight for the gutters brackets to handle. This can cause them to break and potentially knock down a large portion of your gutter.

5. Driveaway Damage

Water not draining properly can cause mold to grow on your driveway, or in the winter it could freeze and become ice. This can be a safety concern for anyone leaving the house before the ice has had time to melt or the mold has been cleaned off.

6. Landscape Damage

Plants need water to grow but unfortunately getting an overflow of water is just as detrimental as not getting enough water. Plants that are in the way of a waterfall that comes from an overflowed gutter can be killed because of the water pooling up around or even underneath them.

How to Clean Your Gutters

Doing it yourself

Cleaning your gutters seems simple, but it can be a dangerous job. Climbing a latter up to the first or second story is a lot higher than you may think. Be sure your latter is sturdy and have someone hold it steady from the bottom. When you’re up there don’t reach too far to one side and be sure to use gloves and safety glasses.

Professional Cleaning

Professional cleanings can cost anywhere from $75 to $225 for an average sized home. The professionals will remove debris from the gutters and downspouts and repair any loose gutter brackets.

Sell Your Home Fast

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  1. Submit your home to the Multiple Listing Service for maximum exposure to other agents in Chicagoland.
  2. Distribute copies of your listing to our company sales staff for their waiting buyers.
  3. Develop a specific list of features and benefits of your home and neighborhood, for cooperating agents to use with their potential buyers.
  4. Professional advice regarding property improvements that increase the marketability of your home in terms of time and money.
  5. Staging your home for its best presentation.
  6. Increase exposure through a professional “For Sale” sign and lockbox, if applicable.
    1. Brochure box on sign
    2. Internet website rider
  7. Conduct tour of your home for cooperating MLS Brokers in your area.
    1. Scheduled as soon as your home goes on the market – Tuesday or Thursday a.m.
    2. Scheduled each month until your home is sold
  8. Mail out promotion
    1. Flyer mailing – 500 people in nearby vicinity
    2. 250 top producing Real Estate Brokers in your area
  9. Internet exposure
    1. Diana’s home page www.hinsdale-homes.com with access to all listings
    2. www.realtor.com
    3. www.rubloff.com
    4. www.homefeedback.com
    5. www.circlepix.com
    6. www.trulia.com
    7. www.point2homes.com
    8. www.zillow.com
    9. www.craigslist.com
    10. www.cyberhomes.com
  10. Pre-qualify all prospective buyers to determine their ability to secure mortgage financing.
  11. Follow up with cooperating Brokers for their customer’s reaction to your home and discuss these comments with you to make appropriate changes, if needed.
  12. Keep you abreast of the current market conditions every Monday in order to maintain a competitive edge in pricing your home to effect a fair market value.  Activity report mailed monthly.
  13. To be present upon all contracts by cooperating brokers and help negotiate the best possible price and terms for you.
  14. To be present and represent you “the seller” at the home inspection and to follow through to the completion of any further negotiation of inspection deficiencies.
  15. Execute follow up and keep you informed after the contract has been accepted on the mortgage, inspection, appraisal and other closing procedures.

Home Downsizing

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The kids are all moved out, lots of empty space and still much maintenance to attend to.  Home Downsizing has been on your mind and now you may be ready to make that move.  Well Chuck and I are ready to take you through this new journey in your life. We know the concerns you have in this regard and we’ll make sure it goes seamlessly. You will have many concerns during this process; proximity to family, size of the home, climate and more.

These concerns are common for empty-nesters who wish to move into a smaller home and we address these concerns and alleviate any stress that may come with them.  Let us give you a short review of what Chuck and I will do to help you with this new event in your life.

1) Choices – We have access to every home available to fit your needs – from townhomes and condo developments to 55 yrs and over communities.

2) Proximity – We will provide you with driving times, transportation routes, and shopping areas close by.

3) Size – We offer advice on scaling down furniture.  We also can lead you in Estate Sales referrals.

4) Climate – If you desire a home in summer climates we can help find “maintenance free” developments.

Also if you are moving out of the vicinity of the areas we cover, we are part of a Realtor Referral program to assist you in where you are moving to. 

Of course there is much more we do to help you in the process of home downsizing and we do everything we can to make this process seamless and enjoyable for you.  Please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you in finding a smaller home.

8 Strategies For Savvy Home Sellers

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  1. Understand what “market value” means.  It’s not what your friend sold his house for two years ago or even two months ago,  It’s not the value your latest tax assessment was based on or what an appraiser said the house was worth a year ago.  It is exactly what someone is willing to pay for your house today.  Hence, price realistically and broaden incentives, such as closing costs and throw-ins like appliances, flat-screen televisions, etc.  There is an old saying:  “There’s nothing wrong with a home that the right price can’t fix.”
  2. Don’t be an as-is seller.  That is, unless you absolutely have to be one.  Potential homebuyers aren’t looking for fixer-uppers in the current market unless they are rock-bottom, bargain-basement priced.  Large volumes of foreclosed homes are already being sold in poor condition at auction.
  3. Hire a top performer.  These days, you need an agent who outshines the others and routinely posts better-than-average sales numbers year after year.  Agencies may try to steer you toward less-seasoned agents, but if you’re paying the commission, then the hire should be your call.  The best agents have an innate sense for that right price and right marketing plan.  They can suggest the necessary repairs and tweaks while targeting your home to the right buying group.  Caveat:  In selecting an agent, the percentage of listings sold is generally a better performance barometer than a high volume of sales.
  4. Know your market’s nuances.  No two markets are exactly alike.  Yes, most sellers are now swimming upstream.  But there are always counter currents to consider.  In many areas, modestly priced homes have bigger buying pools because tighter mortgage qualifications are keeping buyers out of more expensive homes.  A little research and a savvy agent can give you an edge and an education.
  5. Use the Internet.  According to compete.com, total time spent online rose 24.3 percent from the fall of 2006 to the fall of 2007.  Yes, people are still scoping out newspaper classified ads and real estate listing magazines, but more and more Americans have been wired to at least start heir home shopping online.
  6. Use other people’s money.  You don’t have to sell for a big loss to get out from under your rising mortgage payments.  If you can, rent out your home for a sum that covers your house payments, insurance, taxes and maintenance costs.  Do try to roll in a slight buffer to cover unanticipated expenses.  And realize you’ll need capital to refresh the place when the market stabilizes and you take off your landlord hat to prep the home for sale again.  Or consider offering lease-to-own terms to your renter and you many not have to worry about the future sale.
  7. Become a “lender.”  Tough times call for unconventional measures.  Consider carrying part of the buyer’s note with interest, secured by an asset belonging to the buyer.  Do so only after a thorough credit check and only if you can afford to wait for the balance of the purchase price.  This, by the way, is not a game for the faint of heart.
  8. Simplify and neutralize.  In this sales environment, you’ve probably already been told to focus on curb appeal, add fresh landscaping and de-clutter the house by removing family photos and heirlooms or other items you don’t need or use on a daily basis.

But let’s take it a step further.  Paint your rooms neutral colors.  Hire a redesign or home-staging firm to help you present your home in optimal condition and give potential buyers a chance to envision their possibilities there.  And while you’re at it, get a pre-listing inspection, which will reveal any defects your home has and allow you time to make repairs.  Then provide a copy of the report to buyers, attaching a list of the fixes you made.

Relocation

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Job Relocation or Transfer? We know what a tough time it can be for you and your family while relocating from one job to another let alone moving from one state to another.  Chuck and I are ready to help you through this change in your life. We know the concerns you have in this regard and we’ll make sure it goes seamlessly. You will have many concerns during this process; affordability, job location and commuting, type of neighborhood, schools and more.

These concerns are common for transferees who need to move to another state or city and we address these concerns and alleviate any stress that may come with them.  Let us give you a short review of what Chuck and I will do to help you with this new event in your life.

1) Affordability – We will help determine what you can afford with respect to what type of house you need. We take time to listen to you and take seriously what your needs and wants are.

2) Proximity – We will provide information on housing choices based on travel for your job. This includes accessibility to major airports such as O’Hare Airport and Midway Airport.

3) Neighborhood – We will take you on a driving tour of suggested neighborhoods, shopping areas, village downtown areas and schools.

4) Investment – We will make sure the home you choose is the right one for re-sale reasons.  We will consult you through this process and make sure the home is in the best position for a future sale.

5) School Districts – We will provide you with school reports and give you my personal insight from 17 years of teaching experience.

Of course there is much more we do to help you in this process of transferring and we do everything we can to make this process seamless and enjoyable for you.  Please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you.