Spruce up the exterior of your home, before summer heat

CNN Money's Real Estate section reports:

The best outdoor jobs to tackle now

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Josh Garskof, Money Magazine contributing writerMay 3, 2010:

(Money Magazine) -- You probably know that boosting your home's curb appeal is one of the most important ways to maximize its value. But that doesn't mean you need to take on a pricey job like replacing the windows or installing a blue-stone walk. In fact, you'll probably get a bigger bang for your buck with upkeep that costs a few hundred dollars at most -- like touching up the paint, mulching planting beds, and staining fences and decks. "A lot of buyers expect to invest in big projects to customize the house, but no one wants to deal with deferred maintenance," says Rick Wohlfarth, a realtor in Cundy's Harbor, Maine. 
Click here for full article. 

Kenneth Harney, Washington post Columnist discusses Cash-in Refinancing

Cash-In Refinancing Discussed by Washington Post

Some helpful advice for taking care of your home in the Snow storm!

Helpful info from our Friends @ JHP plumbing:

If you are one of the unfortunate 90,000 without electricity and thus no heat, or if you know someone who is, please pass this on. 
If you are planning to temporarily move out, follow theses directions


1) Turn off the main water valve

a. Open “all” of the faucets and flush the toiletsb. Turn the water heater to its lowest settingc. If you have a boiler for heat (hot water and/or steam) turn the inlet water off
i. If you do not know where it is, DO NOT do anything 
ii. DO NOT turn the heat or thermostat “off”
iii. Set the thermostat @ 68* and leave it. 

Electric Surge:
This is very important to help protect your electric equipment. Once the main power starts to try to come back on, it usually sends a surge down the line because everything is calling at once.
Here are a couple of very easy things to do that will help prevent surge damage:


1) If you have a well pump, and know where the electric switch is, turn the switch off. 
a. Once the power stops popping & off and decides to stay on,then you can power it back up

2) If you have a “Heat pump” and you know where the breaker is, turn that offa. Once the power stops popping & off and decides to stay on,then you can power it back up
3) Electric water heater see #2


FYI - Due to road and parking conditions, JH Peterson Plumbing will be operating at a very limited basis. 

JH Peterson Plumbing Heating & Well Pumps
John H Peterson
627B Sligo AveSilver Spring MD 20910
(301) 585 3006