Many homeowners wonder when to schedule home maintenance. Some of you, the do-it -yourselfers take great pride in doing the maintenance yourself or only calling a contractor in on the big jobs. Some of you busy moms and professionals would rather have someone else do it quickly and right the first time. Either way is fine - just do it or have it done.

Following is a brief outline of some of the most common home maintenance jobs and repairs, as well as a guide on how to select contractors should you decide to hire one.

The old adage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" rings true for home maintenance. Simple and relatively inexpensive regular maintenance can help avoid many extensive and expensive problems.

Home maintenance by season:

Fall Maintenance
Clean and repair gutters. Recaulk exteriors around windows and doors. Fill all other holes and gaps. Remove debris and moss from the roof. Keep debris away from the home such as leaves, plants, wood, etc. Replace your furnace filter and have your furnace serviced. Late fall/early winter freeze proof your exterior plumbing.

Winter Maintenance
Recaulk and regrout in tubs/shower and sinks. Check seals on dishwasher/washer. Check dishwasher/washer hoses for leaks. Check dryer hose and vent for lint blockage. Check for leaks in your attic, basement and your water heater.

Spring Maintenance
Clean and repair gutters. Remove debris and moss from roof. Replace damaged roof shingles. Repair torn screens and check siding. Power wash walkways and drive ways. Power wash and restain decks and check for rot/insects. Late spring/early summer cut back trees and shrubs hanging over or touching the home.

Summer Maintenance
Check exterior paint and sand/repaint as necessary.

How to select a contractor:

Get a referral from your real estate agent. One way to retain or increase property value is by doing the proper maintenance and sometimes upgrades - your real estate agent knows all about that and most likely, if she/he is a good agent, she/he knows which companies do a great job when it comes to maintenance, repair and remodel.

If you are looking for a contractor in the Seattle area, contact Kerstin G. Brooks or Krisanne Heinze of the Brooks & Heinze Team at RE/MAX NW Realtors for a referral to a roofer, electrician, plumber, handyman, power washer, cleaner, and more.

Have a great day,
Kerstin G. Brooks
The Brooks & Heinze Team
206.276.5827
Email: info@propertyinseattle.com
Web: www.propertyinseattle.com

So, what's going on in the Seattle market? If you live in Seattle but listen to the national news, all you hear is about how the housing market is in the toilet. Yes, the housing market has slowed in Seattle over the last year but not as much as the national average (not by a long shot).

Well, there are a couple of things going on in Seattle that make this still a healthy real estate market. Of course, our market has slowed down and the changes in the mortgage industry, high fuel and food prices, credit crisis, sub-prime delinquencies, etc. are to blame for that. But our employment market is great and it is keeping our real estate market in good shape.

The good news is that Microsoft and Boeing are doing well and are adding jobs in the information services and manufacturing sector. The unemployment rate in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area has remained low at 4.1% in May (lower than the national 5.5% rate).  Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/laus_06202008.htm

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there will be a 8.7% change in population in the U.S. between the years 2010 - 2020 and a change of 13.6% change in Washington State during the same period. The projected change in the U.S. between 2000 - 2030 is 29.2% and 46.3% change in Washington State during the same period. Source: U.S. Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/population/projections/PressTab7.xls

Where are all these people going to live? In apartments, houses and condos, of course. If these projections are correct, there will be an increased need for housing in Washington, which should bode well for real estate values. Some areas are showing a projected decline in population, such as D. C., North Dakota and West Virginia.

In short, Seattle is affected by the national economy and prices have dropped which is great for buyers who can take advantage of some great deals. How long will it be a buyer's market? Who knows ... for a while longer; but the great employment opportunities, good income, population growth and limited availability of buildable land (due to geography and environmental protection laws) make for a strong housing market that is good now and will be fantastic in the future.

So, buy a house in Seattle!

The Mexican Real Estate Market is really booming; especially Baja California Sur, in and near La Paz, Todos Santos and Loreto; Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta and other areas. The reason for this is because there is a limited amount of affordable and attractive beachfront left in the US, leaving folks who are looking for their own place in the sun without opportunities.

Opportunities also extend to some non-beachfront properties, f.e. in towns where there is a shortage of in-town, long-term rental properties such as in Puerto Vallarta. It's not just the sunshine that lures people but the recreational activities, such as diving, kayaking, boating, wildlife, scenery, etc. and proximity to the U.S. and Canada .

With rising health care costs and a rapidly rising cost of living in the US and Canada and with real estate prices leveling of dropping off, many investors and retirees are looking to Mexico for a better investment and affordable way to continue or improve their lifestyle. Baby boomers and investors in the United States and Canada are looking for their second home or retirement home in Mexico. Most areas can be easily reached with many airlines competing for business.

Investors and retirees should be excited because it is still affordable. There is a lot you need to know about hot to buy real estate down there. It's a bit like the wild west and you have to be careful who you are working with down there. The person advertising and listing a property might not be the right person to work with. I think there are great opportunities for appreciating property down there but as with any investment, do your due diligence and research; and work with professionals who know what they are doing and who will represent your best interest.

Brooks & Heinze Team
Remax NW Realtors
300 NE 97th St
Seattle, WA 98115
206.528.4471
www.propertysalesmexico.com