Why not Vow to keep your home in shape too?

Many of us set ourselves up each year with resolutions. Work out more, eat less...you know the drill. Why not resolve to keep your home healthier this year too, with this seasonal checklist:

Spring time-Clean your gutters. Backed-up gutters can wreak havoc on siding and cause flooding. Scoop out leaves and debris with a trowel or hire a professional to do it. Check your roof. Wintery weather may have damaged the surface, and the first big rainstorm, left unchecked, could cause significant problems. Replace shingles as needed. If your fireplace got a workout during the winter months, give it a clean sweep. Best to call in the experts to inspect and clean creosote buildup.

Summer-Walk around your house to check for unsealed spots where squirrels or mice could sneak in. Look carefully for termites or ants too. Inside check your attic and make sure egess points are sealed tightly. Get ready for the warm season by giving any outdoor equipment (pools, swing sets, etc.) a thorough, top to bottom cleaning.

Fall-Ensure your furnace is in prime shape for he cold months ahead, and change all he air filters in your home. Make sure your home is adequately sealed. Apply weather stripping (such as tape, felt, foam, or vinyl tubing) around doors and windows. Trim branches near your home or roof to prevent damage when wintery weather hits.

Winter-Drain and insulate outdoor pipes to prevent freezing. Check for damaged sidewalk, driveway or stairs, and repair them before the first snow to avoid damaged mishaps.

This is all-so important, to avoid costly repairs from not keeping things "tuned up"-trust me, I've learned my lesson-hence, I share some of these points-to keep you from the expense I incurred this year-from "letting things go"-if I left something off this list, don't be shy-let me know!

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI, Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor Toll Free 866-333-6333 HTTP://www.wendimae.com wendimae@wendimae.com

TIme to buy in Folsom! The cost gap narrows...read on-

Thinking of buying a home? Consider this: The gap between monthly rents and mortgage payments is at its lowest level in almost 20 years.
In some markets, the difference can be less than $100, according to a national study conducted for The Associated Press by Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services.
The study, part of a week-long look at homeownership by the AP, found years of falling home prices and low interest rates have created the ultimate buyer's market. But while buying a home is more affordable, it isn't necessarily easier.
Tougher lending standards have made it harder to qualify for a home loan, and unemployment is at 9.7 percent. Tax incentives for homebuyers will expire April 30, and interest rates are expected to increase this year.
"Statistically, it's a great time to buy," said Hessam Nadji, managing director of Marcus & Millichap. "Psychologically, the consumer doesn't feel like it's a great time to buy."
The analysis of 45 metro areas found the difference between the monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home and the median rent is down to $256. The last time that gap was anywhere near that small was in 1993 when it fell to $264, according to the study.
Marcus & Millichap used median prices for the last three months of 2009 and calculated mortgage payments by assuming a 10 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed loan at 5.07 percent, among other factors. It also assumed borrowers.

Let Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI Resident Realtor for Connect Realty.com, INC., be your resource-phone us today Toll Free 866-333-6333 or direct at 916-616-0874 also wendimae@wendimae.com or check out her personal website at: http://www.wendimae.com/

Announcing-Folsom Lake 5 MPH restrictions have been lifted! Let's go Boating!

Just in time for Spring! Folsom Lake lifts the 5MPH speed restriction-Yahooooo!!!! Hard to believe this is what it used to look like out there.-First Photo. We can thank the good Lord for the levels have increased-2nd photo...Anybody ready for some boating? Maybe a little Fishing? Lake levels were about at the 400-foot mark over the last weekend, when measured against the dam.
For this, and any other information on the city of Folsom-or the Communities within...call Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI,
Broker Associate for connect realty.com, INC.
Toll Free 866-333-6333 or
email wendimae@wendimae.com or check out her personal website at:
http://www.wendimae.com/ Happy Boating to all!

Giving Sellers the Green light

Wendi-Mae is keeping it real, and keeping it Green...Now it is your turn! How do you start protecting your environment, without spending money-rather by saving it? Glad you asked-here's how:
An inexpensive way to start helping to save your environment, locally- buy CFL's "Compact Flourescent Light" Bulbs. They use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last 6-10 times longer. You'll save energy and mney and contribute to global climate change. Prtoect the environment of today, and tomorrow-by changing a light! For any and all Real Estate information you may need for all of Santa Clara County, El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramanto Counties-call your neighborhood specialist/Team-

Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI,
Broker Associate Connect Realty,
Director of the California Association of Realtors
Real Estate counselor.
22 years of full time service to the Community
Toll Free 866-333-6333
Personal website

http://www.wendimae.com
http://www.blogger.com/www.wendimae.com or email her
at wendimae@wendimae.com
She looks forward to the opportunity of assisting you in your quest!

Dual Paned Windows and Using your Federal Tax credit

Are old windows a luxury you can afford?

When you were looking for your current home, you had two lists in your head: a list of needs and a list of wants. In all liklihood, windows weren't on either list because you assume that every house has them. Windows, like doors, are a given. Or are they? Some describe windows as a luxury. While a door is essential in even the most primitive house, "windows are a refinement, an amenity that makes a place more livable." Through the centuries, windows have grown in size and improved in technology, but the problem of energy loss has gotten more complex. The heat lost in residential and commercial blds. in 1990 cost the U.S. $20 Billion alone. If you have old frame, aluminum framed, single paned windows, or even double paned windows with leaky seals, your home is part of that statistic. Up to 40% of your personal heating and cooling dollars are literally going out the window. When you begin the process of replacing your windows-Start with looking for a Brand that meets the ENERGY STAR (trademark)requirements. One such Brand is Milgard-and specifically there Smart Touch Brand-locking system design. It is the only window lock on the market that meets the Arthritis Foundation's Ease-of-Use commendation. They are backed by a lifetime warranty and Exceed California's rigorous code/s.
With the added Federal tax credit thru Oct. 30th of $1500., and Milgards $750. rebate, what are you waiting for? Remodeling Magazine reports a return on investment is 99.2%.
If you should desire more information-feel free to give me a call:

Wendi-Mae Davis,

Broker Associate Connect Realty,

Real estate Counselor,

Director of the California Association of Realtors.

Toll Free 866-333-6333, wendimae@wendimae.com or check out my personal website at: http://www.wendimae.com/
Also check out our Community webite at http://www.mycameronpark.com/

Solar Energy, Solar Panel Systems-Start putting money back in your pocket.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy can put your hard earned dollars, back in your pocket.

PhotoVoltaics: Basic Design Principles and components

If you are thinking of generating your own electricity, you should consider a PhotoVoltaic (PV) system-a way to genereate electricity by using evergy from the sun. These systems have several advantages:They are cost-effective alternatives in areas where extending a utility power line is very expensive;they have no moving parts and require little maintenance;and they produce electricity without polluting the environment.

A couple of nearby solar panel companies are Sacramento Solar Panels http://www.recsolar.com/ and Evergreen Solar-made in the USA25 year Warranty-36 yers in Solar http://www.suneiec.com/
Hundreds of cost-effective applications for PV systems have been developed. In the United States, PV systems must have unobstructed Southern exposure. Where you live, will determine the number of PV modules you will need. In addition to the PV modules, you will need to purchase balance-of-system (BOS) equipment. The National Electric Code cntains provisions and requirements for PV systems.
For online Renewable Energy Information go to http://www.eren.doe.gov/ and http://www.nrel.gov/
For more information-or for the packet made available by PG & E, email me at wendimae@wendimae.com or visit me at http://www.wendimae.com/ you may also call me toll free at 866-333-6333
Wendi-Mae Davis, CRS, GRI-Broker Associate, Real Estate Counselor, Connect Realty

Be Firewise...Wildfire preparedness for your home and Pets

Hope it never happens to you...For an information intense Packet on Fire Preparedness-The National Firewise Communities Program provides wildland/Urban interface resources for Firefighter safety, Community Planning, Landscaping, Construction, and maintenance to protect people, their pets, their property-and natural resources from Wildfire. More information is available from the firewise website at: http://www.firewise.org A helpful checklist, and good place to start:1) Home ignition Zone-Begin with at least 30 ft of space immediately around the home and extending out as far as 100-200 feet.2) Lean, Clean, and Green landscaping-With firewise landscaping, you can create a survivable space around your home that reduces the threat significantly.3) Fire-resistant roof construction-self explantory.4) Fire resistant attachments-include any structure connected to your home, suck as decks, porches, or fences. If they are attached and are not fire resistant, then the home as a whole is vulnerable to ignition.ood w/legible & clearly marked5) Fire-resistant construction-Wall materials that resist heat and flames include brick, cement, plaster, stucco, and concrete masonry. Tempered and double-pane glass windows can make a home more resistant to wildfire and flames. Why? Firebrands (embers) collect in small nooks and crannies and ignite combustible materials...6) A disaster Plan-The time to plan for any emergency is prior to the event. Discuss this with your family, and have emergency numbers close by-and in a visible place. Leave before it is too late. Decide where you will go, and how you will get there. Have tools available, such as a shovel, rake, axe, handsaw, or a chainsaw. Maintain an emergency water source too. Have plans for your pets, practice family fire drills.7) Emergency Access-Identify your home and N'hood w/clearly marked streets and names and numbers. Your driveway should be at least 13 feet wide, with a verticle clearance of 15 feet and a slope no more than 5 percent for emergency vehicles...Provided to you by:
Wendi-Mae Davis, ABR, CRS, GRI.
Broker Associate/Real Estate Counselor
Connect Realty.com, INC.
Toll Free 866-333-6333
http://www.wendimae.com
wendimae@wendimae.com
I look forward to the possibility od assisting you in your quest!