How to Aerate and Seed Your Lawn - 09/29/08 10:35 AM
In this video Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina in Charlotte NC will tell you how to aerate and seed your lawn.Every season, lawn will be challenged by, varying temperatures, drought conditions or crazy insects. You should realize that even the best turf will stress and thin and this is why you need to aerate and seed annually. Over seeding fills open areas and aeration protects and grows the roots. Complete these in early September, aeration first then seeding. First thing, mow shorter this one time. This shortens the grass that may inhibit seed, fertilizer or compost from contacting soil. You … (3 comments)

CRRA 2008 Fish Fry - 09/27/08 08:44 PM
This year's CRRA Candidate Fish Fry is September 18, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., in the CRRA parking lot (1201 Greenwood Cliff). Make plans now to attend this great family event! Join us for another year of FAMILY fun, food, drinks, prizes and music at the CRRA Candidate Fish Fry. Meet and greet local candidates and elected officials and discuss the issues important to you and the real estate industry. Visit sponsor booths to learn about the services and products they have to offer. Walk away with great information that can help you better serve your clients. After the great success of last … (0 comments)

Cut Your Heating Bills - 09/27/08 08:34 PM
Record world oil prices will hit home heating this winter, with consumers likely paying high prices to heat their homes. Natural gas will rise an average of 24 percent and fuel oil a whopping 36 percent says the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association. Now is the time to give your home a "check-up." Here are seven tips from the Comfort Institute to make your home an energy sipper instead of a gas guzzler. They will help you save money, improve comfort and help the environment too. 1. Ask your heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor to test your duct system for … (0 comments)

Winterize Your Home - 09/27/08 07:52 PM
The cold winter season brings destructive snow, ice and freezing temperatures to homeowners in the Snow Belt states each year and proper preparation is essential. There are numerous tasks that you, the homeowner, can do to protect and prepare the exterior of your home before winter sets in. To keep the cost of heating your home down this winter, it is essential to keep it well insulted and sealed. Heat can be lost through cracks, damaged siding, drafty doors and leaky windows. To ensure your home stays energy efficient throughout the winter, do a thorough inspection of the exterior, and use … (1 comments)

Don't Put Off Home Improvement Projects - 09/27/08 07:23 PM
Increasing costs have become evident in every aspect of our lives. In addition to daily expenses like gas and groceries, home improvement costs are escalating across the nation as well. The cost of construction materials has risen more than 10 percent during the past year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. In addition, the American General Contractors (AGC) of America find that construction costs have increased more than twice the overall consumer price. As the summer months rolled by, construction prices kept increasing. By the end of July, the cost of steel, a material widely used in home construction, had increased … (0 comments)

Don't Flush Money Down the Toilet - 09/27/08 07:20 PM
Water conservation is becoming a household necessity due to more states declaring drought emergencies each year. Plus, not only does water conservation help the environment, but it also puts less strain on the pocketbook. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Palmer Drought Index shows from a recent governmental survey at least 36 states are anticipating local, regional or statewide water shortages by 2013, only five years away. Homeowners can help reduce their water usage and shrink their water bill by looking at one of the biggest potential water wasters in the home -- their toilet. Repairing a leaky toilet can save … (1 comments)

New Home Product - Pultrim - 09/25/08 02:42 PM
Pulte has come out with a new product; pultrim. Watch this video by Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina in Charlotte to find out all about it.Heres something you dont see every day: Pulte Homes, who developed their own integrated exterior home trim system, has decided to partner with their manufacturer, Tecton Products, and licensed the rights to market and sell their product, Pultrim, outside of Pulte communities. Its a symbiotic relationship that looks like its garnering some serious fruit. Pultrim is designed to replicate detailed wood and aluminum exterior trim and gutters. According to the manufacturer, the material properties of … (2 comments)

Vacation Ownership Options - 09/16/08 04:47 PM
The downturn in the real estate market has caused many people to forgo the purchase of a second home. But because they still want the opportunity to travel and spend time with friends and family, many are opting to become members of luxury travel destination clubs instead. One reason for the switch -- most clubs provide a guaranteed refund of deposit, which may be more appealing than the liability of purchasing a second home in a potentially risky real estate market. "With the current market, people are looking for alternatives to owning a vacation home. They still desire the quality time … (1 comments)

Fall Home Decor Trends: One Part Nature with a Twist - 09/15/08 05:10 AM
As Mother Nature wows us with fantastic fall colors and scenery, the latest trends in fall decorating and entertaining bring the beauty of the great outdoors inside. Give your home some fall-time flare by adding nature-inspired decor with unexpected crafty details. "This fall, decorating trends are inspired by nature, but the key is to use these elements in new and exciting ways. Interesting themes, new colors and surprising details are making fall 2008 distinctive," says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Here are some decorating ideas and trends that you can try in your home: … (2 comments)

Tips for Painting Your House - 09/15/08 05:05 AM
Painting the interior of your home can be one of the most rewarding and cost-effective ways to completely transform your living space. By following a few simple tips, you'll maximize your time and efforts, while ensuring the end result will look as if you hired a costly professional. * The most important step to getting a great look is preparation. As a general rule, walls should be clean, dry and dull. If your existing surface was painted previously with semi-gloss or gloss paint, the surface should be lightly sanded to a duller finish and all sanding dust removed. For previously painted … (1 comments)

Preinspections Radio Interview - 09/15/08 04:55 AM
Lets face it, 2008 has been a tough year for real estate. Do you remember that old supply and demand graph from Econ 101? When demand exceeds supply price goes up until the optimal point is reached. Well sadly the reverse is true; When supply exceeds demand the price has to fall until it reaches the optimal point. Unfortunately this where 2008 has found many of us in the real estate business. With supply exceeding demand is there anything a seller can do to accelerate their chances of getting one of these few sales? Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina says … (0 comments)

This Old House - 09/14/08 06:55 AM
During my 12 years as a home inspector in Charlotte NC I have seen just about everything. Some of the things I have seen besides numerous snakes and spiders and teenager's stash of liquer. I have seen cigar and snuff boxes used for junction boxes. I have seen car parts and hoses used for plumbing. I have seen rotten wood, rotten pipes and rotten roofs. I have even found and inflate a mate in a crawl space once. (Thats not on this video) There is allaways something new, weird, or funny. Sit back and relax and you might even laugh a … (1 comments)

Crawl Space Problems - 09/13/08 04:05 PM

 
Ever wonder what problems may be lurking unerneather your house? In this video by Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina he shows some problems he find in the crawl space of and old farm house in Monroe NC. Thes problems include high moisture contentent, open wasteline, wasteline with an impropper slope, impropper support piers, floor joists supports without hangers or ledger board. The last concern is the snake skin and where might be the owner of that!
… (3 comments)

Spruce Up Your Home on a Budget - 09/11/08 05:24 AM
With existing home sales lagging and new home construction sales soft, many Americans are making the decision to sit tight in their existing homes - but that doesn't mean they're taking their living space for granted. Room makeovers are actually on the increase, as today's homeowners are now looking for ways to improve their surroundings - if the price is right. This means they are redoing their rooms that they spend the most time in, and with building materials that provide a high-end appearance, but won't break the bank. According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, if consumers … (0 comments)

Top Tips for Painting Your Home - 09/11/08 05:21 AM
Painting the interior of your home can be one of the most rewarding and cost-effective ways to completely transform your living space. By following a few simple tips, you'll maximize your time and efforts, while ensuring the end result will look as if you hired a costly professional. * The most important step to getting a great look is preparation. As a general rule, walls should be clean, dry and dull. If your existing surface was painted previously with semi-gloss or gloss paint, the surface should be lightly sanded to a duller finish and all sanding dust removed. For previously painted … (1 comments)

Radon, Granite Counters, and Marketing - 09/10/08 07:13 PM
Let me first say that I have tested 100's and hundered's of houses for Radon Gas and sometimes put the machine right on the Granite countertops and have never got a high reading that I can pin point to granite countertops . Having said this though this thing is gathering steam. To me the Jury is still out on this but it has been on TV and our local newspaper is doing a big spread on it next week. Look at this video from the early show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD0ln4zxMK0&feature=related to Granite countertops If this is just fear mongering I want no part … (3 comments)

Bill Gallagher Talks About Radon - 09/10/08 04:37 AM
Bill Gallagher, One of North Carolina's best known Real Estate Instructors talks about Radon Gas in The Mandatory Update class in Charlotte NC in September. Bill Gallagher Owns Supeior School of Real Estate in Charlotte but conducts Real Estate classes throughout the state. Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina is filming him. Radon: Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America … (2 comments)

Clogged Condensation Line - 09/06/08 04:44 AM
Have you ever had water leaking out of a pipe coming from your eave. Do you know what that is? It is draining from your catch pan under your HVAC system. The pan is full of water because the normal condensation line has clogged. In this video Preston Sandlin of Home Inspection Carolina shows a clogged condensation line … (1 comments)

Hardware, Molding Turn Drab Cabinets into Decorative Elements - 09/04/08 04:04 PM
Cabinets rank with appliances and countertops as a kitchen design element that draws a lot of attention. Upgrading cabinets with cost-effective, high-impact accessories like fresh hardware and moldings can put the finishing touch of personalization on your kitchen. "Incorporating custom-like features on stock cabinetry is an easy and affordable way to upgrade the look of a kitchen while integrating personal taste," says Connie Edwards, director of design for American Woodmark cabinetry. "With endless options of styles, sizes and finishes in decorative hardware and moldings, today's design trends lend themselves to mixing and matching, making it easy for homeowners to personalize and … (0 comments)

Renovate Your Home with Lighting for Less - 09/04/08 04:00 PM
Great lighting inside and outside a home can enhance the overall appearance and value while making it safer. With the right strategy, you can refresh your home's lighting for less than you think. "Lighting can dramatically enhance a home's appeal," says Daniel Auer, a lighting expert with LightingShowplace.com. "Using the trends and secrets that professionals use can help you transform your home and illuminate features and areas that you want to draw attention to." Auer offers these tips and trend ideas for improving the lighting inside and outside your home and saving money: 1) Skip the stores and shop online. Comparison … (0 comments)

Re-energizing For Winter - 09/04/08 03:54 PM
As cold weather advances, homeowners throughout the country can expect to see a substantial increase in energy prices. According to the Energy Information Administration, the price for heating oil, natural gas and electricity is projected to jump by nearly 20 percent. With such high increases this year, homeowners everywhere are giving inefficient windows and doors the cold shoulder. According to a recent study commissioned by JELD-WEN, a manufacturer of windows and doors, nearly 26 percent of homeowners say what they dislike most about their existing windows and doors is that they are drafty and inefficient. As temperatures outside drop, these inefficiencies … (2 comments)

Green Homes Attract Buyers - 09/04/08 03:43 PM
Home buyers of all income levels are looking for environmentally friendly properties, according to a study taken by the U.S. Green Building Council and McGraw-Hill Construction. And in the difficult housing market of today, sellers are looking for new ways to attract buyers. Making a home greener with cleaner air quality may just be the answer to getting bids. Homeowners can use the following tips to make their house more environmentally friendly: * Buy appliances that use less water and electricity. Many companies sell appliances like washing machines and dishwashers which use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water than … (0 comments)

Winterize Your Home - 09/04/08 03:39 PM
Right now we're basking in the sunshine, but before you know it, the cooler temperatures of winter will set in. While it's still comfortable outside is a great time to winterize your home or business, especially since the U.S. Department of Energy is once again forecasting a huge hike in residential heating bills. Here are three simple things you can do that will not only save money but aggravation: 1. Check your home for leaks. Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner's heating dollars. Prevent good money from going to waste by checking around doors and … (1 comments)

How To Buy a New HVAC System - 09/04/08 03:35 PM
Purchasing or upgrading a heating and cooling system can be confusing with so many parts, pieces, sizes and options to choose from. How do you know what's right for your home? Here is a quick primer from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning to help explain the key components of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to determine which may best meet your family's needs. It all starts with a matched system, which refers to components that are designed to work together to provide greater efficiency, reliability and comfort. Matched systems can be "split" (separate units placed inside and … (0 comments)

Pest Hazards of Vacant Homes - 09/04/08 03:32 PM
That vacant, foreclosed home next door isn't just bringing down your neighborhood's property values. It may also be a haven for a myriad of pests that can threaten the health and safety of neighbors, children and pets. Weeds, standing water, litter and other debris along with deteriorating building conditions are characteristic of foreclosed properties. These tall grasses, overgrown shrubs, clogged gutters and unmanaged pools offer a perfect habitat for a variety of problematic pests. In the interest of preserving public health, it is imperative that vacant structures, pools and properties be treated with pest control products to keep roaches, rats, spiders, … (0 comments)

How To Cut Home Heating Bills - 09/04/08 03:28 PM
Record world oil prices will hit home heating this winter, with consumers likely paying high prices to heat their homes. Natural gas will rise an average of 24 percent and fuel oil a whopping 36 percent says the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association. Now is the time to give your home a "check-up." Here are seven tips from the Comfort Institute to make your home an energy sipper instead of a gas guzzler. They will help you save money, improve comfort and help the environment too. 1. Ask your heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor to test your duct system for … (2 comments)