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11 Ways to Squeeze a Little Extra Cash out of your Heating System this Winter

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squeeze a little extra cash out of your heating system

The holidays are over, and you’re settling in for the, hopefully not, long winter.  Your pond and irrigation system are winterized, but after the expense of the holiday season, you may not be looking forward to the upcoming heating bills as the thermometer drops. Take a moment to read our previous post about all the simple ways you can save money on heating your home in the cold months.

Here are an additional 11 ways to squeeze a little extra cash out of your heating system this winter: 

  1. Layer Up! Put on a sweater and lower the thermostat! Our parents knew this was a great way to save money, and it still applies today. Even a 4-degree reduction in your thermostat will save you some dollars this winter. According to energy.gov, a 10-degree (brrr!) reduction can save you as much as 10% on your heating bills.
  2. Maintain the system: Take good care of your HVAC system, and it will take care of you. Be sure it’s tuned up and ready to purr through the chill. Remember to replace your filter too!
  3. Keep your garage door closed: The garage door serves as a block to the cold air buffeting the shared interior wall. Keeping it closed will provide a buffer between your heat and the frigid winter air.
  4. Take control:  There are many helpful tech gadgets available that can assist with keeping your costs low, such as a smart thermostat. Program it to lower the temperature when you are at work and asleep.
  5. Let the sunshine in!  On sunny days, open the curtains to drain the heat from the sun.  Clean your south-facing windows to allow as much heat as possible into your home.  Then close the curtains as soon as the sun sets to keep the heat inside.
  6. Post-Santa repairs: If Santa made a stop at your house, now is the time to check the chimney and ensure everything is in working condition.  Close the damper when it’s not in use to stop the heat from escaping here.  Check the seal on the flue damper to ensure it’s as tight as possible.  If you’re using your fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system so the warm air can be blown into the room.  Lower the thermostat and enjoy the heat from the fireplace.
  7. Wrap it up:  Adding clear plastic sheeting to your windows can reduce drafts and the loss of warm air.  They can be purchased at any hardware store and are easily applied with heat, such as from a hairdryer.
  8. Vent!  Clear any obstructions away from the vents so your furnace can do its job and blow the warm are into your rooms.  Clear vents also help your HVAC system work more proficiently.
  9. Throwdown a rug. Lifting rugs and putting down wood or manufactured flooring has been the preferred decorating technique for some time now.  Unfortunately, the ease of sweeping the floor has been traded in for a loss of heat.  Carpeting insulates your floors, so use throw rugs through the winter months.
  10. Insulate.  From doors to attics, more insulation will help keep your heat where you want it.  Inside your home!
  11. Close off the unused. If there are rooms you don’t frequent, close the air vents and doors. Avoid wasteful heating of square footage such as garages, crawlspaces, and attics if you’re not using them regularly.

If you’re looking for a reliable HVAC contractor anywhere in Columbus or central Ohio, reach out and we will share our list with you.   Just call or email us!  We hope these tips were helpful. 

Columbus Real Estate Market Expected to Outperform Over the Next Three to Five Years

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Columbus Real Estate Market Expected to Outperform Over the Next Three to Five Years

Did you hear the recent GOOD news about Columbus, OH, from the National Association of Realtors? The Columbus Team is thrilled to share with you that our wonderful hometown and state Capital of Ohio has made the list of 10 Markets that are expected to outperform over the next three-five years. What does this mean for you? Chief Economist Lawrence Yun indicates, “some markets are clearly positioned for exceptional longer-term performance due to their relative housing affordability combined with solid local economic expansion.” Yun suggests that Columbus, along with the other nine real estate markets listed, offer many benefits to the consumer, including affordability and consistent job growth as we look ahead, making it a favorable environment to become a homeowner. When it’s time to plan your path to homeownership, upsizing, downsizing, or even deciding if you should rent or buy, The Columbus Team is here for you. We’d love to meet-up and share some FREE real estate advice with you. Consulting, planning, and advising are all part of our comprehensive approach to helping you meet your real estate goals! How can we help you?

Downsize With a Heart This Holiday Season

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Downsize With a Heart This Holiday Season

This year, our team has had the privilege of sponsoring Downsize With a Heart, a social enterprise of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio. We continue to be amazed at the work they are doing in our communities. Collaborating with them brings us great joy. 

Giving back to our communities is important to The Columbus Team REALTORS® and we hope that you will join us this holiday season. If you utilize Downsize With a Heart’s packing and moving services, you are also contributing to the Furniture Bank. The Furniture Bank turns empty houses into homes, by providing furniture to individuals and families in need due to poverty or other severe life challenges.

We want everyone in the Columbus communities to have a fully furnished home this year. If you don’t need help with downsizing, you can go to the Furniture Bank’s website to give a donation. The Furniture Bank also has a Thrift store for your holiday shopping. 

Thank you for joining us in building better communities throughout Columbus! 

Happy Holidays, 

Realtors With a Heart

Vote Erin Ogden Oxender for 2020 Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors!

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A Vote for Erin is a Vote for fair and honest representation for all Columbus REALTORS®

Erin has demonstrated over time her commitment to service in the real estate industry with an excellent record of participation since obtaining her state of Ohio Sales license in 2007. As a graduate of both the Columbus REALTORS® Leadership Academy and the Ohio REALTORS® Leadership Academy, she is poised and ready to be an industry leader. She has served as an Alternate OAR Director in 2019 and is now asking for your vote as Director in 2020.

 Erin is a loyal collaborator and quick-witted confidant. She always operates with integrity and knows it is important to be a good and willing listener. Communication is often a critical linchpin of understanding all sides of an issue and she is committed to hearing the membership of Columbus REALTORS® and increasing communication among the membership from all Brokerages, both big and small.  

Erin Ogden Oxender for 2020 Columbus REALTORS® Board of Directors

10 Tips for Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe

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10 Tips for Keeping Our Neighborhoods Safe - Man with binoculars peering over fence

You’ve finally purchased the home of our dreams in a neighborhood you’re excited to move into. Owning a home is part of living the American dream, a live-in trophy for all your hard work. You maintain it and care for it, cutting the lawn weekly, washing windows in the spring and fixing any leaks that may spring up.

Part of caring for our home includes caring for the neighborhood too. It means connecting with neighbors and knowing your children’s friends and their families. Being social is the first step in continuing to keep your new neighborhood safe. Get involved!

Here are 10 tips for keeping your neighborhood safe.  It’s difficult for crime to get a foothold in communities where the following is in place:

  1. Neighborhood Gatherings: Throw a neighborhood party! Organize a chili cook-off in fall, luminary fundraisers in the winter, bike rallies in spring and pool parties in the summer. Neighbors who play together, know each other and communicate about anything that might be suspect. 
  2. Beautify your space: Keep a well-maintained yard because homes with gardens and planters tell strangers that the people care. Open lots, and public parks can be fixed up with a little teamwork which will send a clear message to outsiders that you are invested in your community. Pride of place goes a long way to deter crime.
  3. Download notifications: There are apps such as Neighbourhood Watch and Neighborhood Crime Watch which allow you the communication of emergency alerts, crime alerts, sex offender alerts, severe weather tips, and much more. You can also upload photos, videos, and information about suspicious activity in your neighborhood, which is shared with neighbors.
  4. Neighborhood Watch: Join your local Neighborhood Watch. If there isn’t one in your community, start it! There’s also a Dog Walker Watch you can participate with or bring to your community. These organizations provide tips and work with law enforcement to teach you how to keep your neighborhood safe.
  5. Welcome Police: Invite the police to patrol your community if you are having issues with speeders, make them feel welcome with a wave when you see them pass by. Keep them abreast of any suspicious activity.
  6. Play outside: Encourage outdoor activities, so there are always people outside in your neighborhood. A hive of activity will deter anyone looking to do something on the sly.
  7. Improve lighting: Consider lobbying to bring streetlights into your region if you don’t have them already. Keeping the area lit up makes it more difficult for someone to get away with illegal acts without being seen
  8. Secure your home: Do your part to make theft and vandalism unpalatable to criminals. Keep the exterior lights on, install a security system, and if you travel, ensure a neighbor watches your house, picks up mail and newspapers, so it appears you’re still at home. Keep your curtains and windows closed at night
  9. Teach your children: Walk the neighborhood with them to discuss boundaries, safety, and suspicious activity. Children can offer watchful eyes and ears too while at bus stops or playing with their friends. Let them know they should report anything suspicious to you and/or a safe adult. Define clearly who a safe adult is to you.
  10. Be an example: Treat your neighbors with respect. Proactively participate in your community and resolve conflicts with patience and communication. Encourage your children to do the same and have zero tolerance for bullying. Promote peaceful negotiations between friends and neighbors.

These are our tips for keeping your neighborhood safe.  If you’re looking to relocate into a different neighborhood, we’d be happy to help!  Let us know what type of home and area you’re looking at, and we’ll let you know when something matching your description becomes available.