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WINTER TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS.

By
Real Estate Agent with Taking a break

WINTER TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS.

Many people already have a routine down on what they will do and have around the home. I have been doing some thinking and realized that not everyone would know to do these things if they are first time home buyers. I remember 20ish years ago when I got into my first home, I had no clue. I did remember doing things around the house when I lived at home, but those memories soon got lost in everyday life by the time I got into that first home. I did have some small leaks that first year that could have been avoided had I taken action.

So for those that know this or can add something too it, Wonderful.

For those of you that can use this information and its new,Great and pass it on to somebody else down the road.

These are my suggestions that I share with you all.

 

  1. If you do not have frost free faucets outside, Put a protective faucet cover over them. I do it anyways out of habit now.
  2. Insulate your exposed pipes, under the house or in the basement if they are exposed. If your basement is always warmed this may also be over kill.
  3. Keep you sidewalks and walkways clear of ice and snow. This is for your protection, the protection of your family and also to keep a possible lawsuit from happening if somebody slips and hurts themself.
  4. Keep snow drifts off your roof . I do not know an easy way to do this for most people. I just climb up and use a plastic rake or snow shovel. I try to mind how deep I go so that I do not start scraping the roofing material and taking life away from it as I remove snow. If you look around there might be some better ideas or even a snow rake. I am simple and just get up there and remove the bulk. If you don't know how to do it or your roof is too high, call a professional in your area. Remember the Roof is dangerous , so if you can work from the ground or ladder that is the best way to do it. Always avoid the Power lines and those cable wires.
  5. Don't let the gutters get overloaded with snow and ice. This will not only slow the drainage as it warms up, but create issues with the gutters pulling away from the house from the wieght, along with other damages that could possibly happen to the roof and siding.
  6. I have a generator, You may never need one. I just like to have power at times.
  7. Keep some extra Fuel around. I have a 5 gallon fuel can that I keep. I always have it for emergencies and use it every month and replace it with new. I has come in handy a few times over the years.
  8. Create an Emergency Kit or Box.  Have your Flashlights, Batteries, Candles, Etc all in this one area.
  9. I stock up on food during the winter in case we get snowed in I know that I will not run out of things in a few days.  Before the winter I seemed be going to the store newarly everyday for something.
  10. Blankets are stored and easy to get too
  11. Sleeping bags and extra pillows
  12. Water, In the water goes down we have some.
  13. I truely am not very PC about this but I am so much ok with that. Have dry WOOD for your wood burning FirePlace. :)       I love them and nothing is going to change it.   
  14. There is a huge list on the internet of things that you can do. Depending on were you live and how bad things get. In the city, a day or two every few years is about all we get.
  15. Be smart and safe. Stay in if you really do not have to venture out on the roads.

 

If honesty, integrity, market knowledge, trust worthiness Are important things to look for when choosing a real estate professional, then give me a ring.

Best to you and yours.

Timothy Butterworth

Real Estate  Broker

Corporate Office

215 SE 102nd, Suite 300

Portland, Oregon 97216 

503-960-4589 Cell

503-287-3417 office

503-287-4657 fax

timothybutterworth@comcast.net

LICENSED IN THE STATE OF OREGON

Remember...each day. You decide the outcome...the rest of the world merely is part of your day...not the reason for it..

Tony and Libby Kelly
Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere - Lake Oswego, OR
CRS, ABR, ePro, SRES, CLHMS, CDPE

Very good list.  Logical yet not obvious if you are a new home owner.

Dec 19, 2008 06:03 AM
Elizabeth Nieves
The Elizabeth Nieves Realty Group - Durham, NC
Bilingual Raleigh - Durham North Carolina Real Estate Team

These are great tips, for sure! That cold stuff can sneak up on ya and catch ya offguard. 

As we are only two days away from Christmas, I wanted to stop by and tell you how much your friendship has meant to me these past months. I'm looking forward to knowing you even better in the coming year. May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy! ~GBU~

Dec 23, 2008 04:15 AM