1. Go green: Lawns tend to get greener after August when the nights get cooler. It’s also a great time to seed and fertilize your lawn if there are any bare spots or the grass is thin.

2. Add color: Plant mums or other colorful plants that will thrive in the fall. This will give your landscape color and vibrancy when everything starts to fade from the summer.

3. Details matter: Trim shrubs and trees on your landscape. Make sure things look sharp and neat.

4. Keep it clean: Tidy up your yard; put away hoses or superfluous lawn ornaments. Change over the general theme (if you have one) to an earthier, fall tone.

5. Preserve wildlife: Attract a little friendly wildlife to your lawn by putting out a birdfeeder.

6. Sparkle and shine: Wash your windows and your screens. As fall arrives, the arc of the sun changes and it’s easier to see dirt on windows; removing screens entirely will also help keep a clean, clear view through the windows.

7. The time is right: Make sure you adjust any automatic timers. As days begin to shorten, ensure automatic lights along the house or walkways come on when it starts to get dark.

Do you leave your car running all night for the morning drive to work? Then why leave your water heater running while you sleep?

Be consoled that outside of North America, tank type water heaters are seen as dinosaurs. Although only accounting for 1% of total water heater units sold in the U.S. in 2000, the tankless revolution is in progress.

Tankless instantaneous on demand water heaters save money and are more energy efficient than tank type water heaters. Tankless water heaters guarantee endless hot water and are becoming very popular in the replacement of the old tank type water heaters. You can also rest assured that Fidelity National Home Warranty does not have the $500 limit that some home warranty companies have on tankless water heaters.  New units are averaging in the $1,700 range, so that means your client would have to fork out $1,200 or more just to get their unit replaced if their policy was with one of those companies. To learn more about tankless water heaters, I’ve found that GE has one of the most informative websites to explain how they work.  Click here to check it out.

As tax season settles, consumers throughout the nation anxiously await their tax refund and rebate. According to the latest IRS estimate, tax refunds will be almost 5 percent higher this year, with an average $2,480 returned to taxpayer’s hands.
This financial boost couldn’t come at a better time. Get ahead of the tough economic situation by spending your tax rebate wisely.

As a realtor my I suggest on how you can make the most of your tax refund and rebate:

Spruce Up Your Home
Is your kitchen or bathroom looking a little dingy? If so, consider a renovation. Home renovating and remodeling can drastically improve the value of your home. On average a kitchen and or bathroom remodel will yield a return on investment of 80 to 100 percent. Investing in a kitchen or bathroom not only provides an unparalleled return, but allows you, the homeowner, to enjoy the benefits of this investment before you place your home on the market. The best upgrades to a home are: French Doors, New Window Treatments, Plantation Shutters,  Granite Counters, New Chandeliers and my favorite, give your home a new coat of paint. All I can tell you a home improvement will give you the pleasure while you own the home and when it is time to sell your home you will get most of your investment back. I know that new flat screen TV was on your list, but rethink it, should you need to sell tomorrow, no buyer will pay you that much more because you throw the flat screen into the deal.