http://www.2ndhomeinsteamboat.com/blog/index.htmlHome Improvement Infoentim@mybrokers.comCopyright 2007 Tim Aigner2008-02-06T09:55:23-07:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:59:40 -0700TimsRssFeedhttp://feedburner.google.comtim@mybrokers.comInterior2008-02-06T09:55:23-07:00http://www.2ndhomeinsteamboat.com/blog/files/05e87ce7eead891bd083d42b470ad50c-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.2ndhomeinsteamboat.com/blog/files/05e87ce7eead891bd083d42b470ad50c-2.html#unique-entry-id-2One of the first indoor tasks you can do if you have a gas forced air furnace is to be sure to change the filter monthly. A clogged filter can decrease furnace efficiency and cause break downs. You should even go one step further and get the whole duct system and furnace cleaned as I recently did. I had a local business called Air Quality Systems (970-875-0200 www.sbairqualitysystems.com) come in this Fall and clean my whole system out. They essentially have a high powered vacuum system that goes through all the ducts and sucks out all the dust, hair, toys, and other debris that might be in your system as well as cleaning out the blowers on the furnace. This should be done at least once every three years to help maintain clean air in your home as well as an efficient heating system. This is now an inspection item that I will always recommend a buyer get done if the home they are purchasing has a gas forced air system. If you have a hot water base board heating system be sure to regularly clean dust from the coils inside to maximize heating efficiency.
Another indoor task is to test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box twice a year by flipping them off and then back on. If you have a circuit that keeps shutting off with normal daily use, call an electrician. A faulty circuit breaker could indicate a short in the wiring inside your walls.
Another tip that will help stretch the life of a hot water heater is to drain it at least once a year. The sediment will drain with the water and can prolong the heater's useful life.
You should plan on replacing the furnace every 5-10 years and your hot water heater every 7-15 years but hopefully with the right regular maintenance they will last beyond the averages.
Coming soon I will give some outdoor tasks that will give you some ideas of items that you should stay up on for the exterior of your home.

]]>tim@mybrokers.comQuick Tips2007-12-12T10:39:19-07:00http://www.2ndhomeinsteamboat.com/blog/files/3a12e445b108dde2e60d54059a609142-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.2ndhomeinsteamboat.com/blog/files/3a12e445b108dde2e60d54059a609142-1.html#unique-entry-id-1
Recently, I visited my local Ace Hardware store to see if they had any answers to help the artist in us break out. I ran into to Tina who was quite helpful. Tina is one of Ace's paint experts and she shared a few tips. First, you have to take Aces "Discover Your Colors" quiz. The quiz asks you 10 lifestyle and personal preference questions. Then, based on your answers, the quiz suggests some colors in the "Casual, Dynamic, Modern, or Timeless" color palates. You can take this quiz at “www.acehardware.com” and click on the link "choose your colors with confidence" which is under "Step by Step Painting tips."

After you click on the link and take the quiz, you are given the option to upload photos of rooms in your own house and paint the walls with the different colors available. This is a great way to do a test run to see what the different rooms in your home will look like with your new colors.

One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is “to go big” right off the bat. You go to the store and decide on a color that you like. Then you buy a couple gallons of it and take it home and start slopping it on. You say, “Whoops! That doesn't look like I thought it would. Now what?' Before this happens to you, try buying some Paint Pods. Paint Pods are small samples of paint that you can take home and paint a small section of your room to see how it looks. It's a great way to do a test run and you don’t buy too much of the wrong paint.
What about painting your house to sell it? Another big mistake homeowners often make is to completely change or repaint their house before they put it on the market to freshen its appearance. First, you have no idea about the new buyers’ tastes and, therefore, you could totally “turn off” a potential buyer with the wrong colors. I always recommend to sellers that they just touch up their current paint, that is, as long as it is not too bold. If you are one of those people that do enjoy a fire engine red or a Barney-the-dinosaur-purple, then, yes, we should talk about painting over those colors.
When you do end up painting over colors to something more neutral, stick to earth tones and neutral colors. If you really want to do it properly, I recommend bringing in a professional interior designer for a consultation. This can be just a minimal charge to you but it is very much worth the professional opinion that you get.

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