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Summer is finally here, which means it is time to spruce up your home in preparation for all the summertime fun gatherings that you will host this season. Here are 8 important summer home maintenance tasks to tackle before planning your first backyard barbecue. Learn more in this Realtor.com article by Jamie Weibe.
The official start of summer might be mere hours away, but most of us are already well into celebrating the season, with backyard barbecues, pool parties, and even a few vacations in the rear-view mirror.
But before you go into full-on summer mode, bear with us: There are a few home maintenance tasks you should tackle to keep your home in tiptop shape all season long.
Buzzkill, we know. But the good news is we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, identifying the top items to address—and what professional help will cost if you want to throw in the (pool) towel. Check these eight projects off your to-do list before firing up the grill.
To keep your refrigerator running efficiently in these hot months, you’ll want to vacuum and clean the condenser coils, defrost the freezer, and clean the seals around the door. Then, scrub your fridge inside and out—a task that’s “often overlooked, but it’s a great way to ensure the cool air in the fridge is remaining where it belongs: inside,” says Ron Shimek, the president of Mr. Appliance.
DIY: This is an easy afternoon activity—although it might get a bit nasty if dirt has accumulated on the coils.
Call in the pros: Fridge making funny sounds? A pro can figure out why. It might just be replacement time, though. Wirecutter’s top pickis $1,620, and its favorite budget model will run you a cool $600.
Hot weather makes wood—and many other construction materials—expand. And over time, this expansion and contraction cycle can cause damage to your house.
“The effect can vary depending on the humidity and climate, but after a while, you may have breaches in the seals around your home,” says Craig Ricks Jr., the president of Acadian Windows and Siding.
Inspect the seals around your windows, roof, door frames, vents, ducts, and outdoor faucets, and take note of any cracking.
Not only are you ensuring your hard-working AC keeps its efforts inside the house, but you also “prevent unwanted bugs and critters from entering,” Ricks says.
DIY: Small cracks can be easily filled with spray foam or wood filler.
Call in the pros: If the rim around your doors or windows looks screwy, an expert can fix the problem. Expect to pay about $160 to fix an exterior door, depending on the severity of the damage.
Months of harsh weather have probably left your siding and hardscaping looking a little dingy.
“This gets overlooked, but it’s a huge part of keeping up the curb appeal of your home,” says mortgage broker Jennifer Harder.
Plus, a good pressure washing cleans out the dirt, preventing rot or other unwanted intrusions.
DIY: Have some fun! Renting a power or pressure washer costs between $50 and $200. (You’ll want a power washer, which uses hot water, for serious stains, and a pressure washer, which uses—you guessed it—pressure for dust and dirt.)
Take some basic precautions before starting: Harder recommends covering any plants, electrical outlets, and windows to avoid any mishaps.
Call in the pros: Pressure or power washing can be a big project. If you’re not up to the task, a pro will charge between $60 and $100 per hour.
Just like your fridge, your washing machine deserves some TLC during summer—especially if you have kids. All of those dirty sports jerseys and mud-soaked pants give the machine a serious workout. Check your hoses for leaks, and clean your lint filter, too.
And when you do the laundry, wash full loads and use cold water whenever possible, Shimek suggests.
DIY: A basic washing machine inspection is simple, and swapping new hoses for cracked, old versions is an easy DIY.
Call in the pros: If something’s majorly wrong, you might need to call for a repair, which will cost between $120 and $500, depending on the severity of the problem.
Continue Reading The Full Article HERE.
Black Diamond, Wash. – June 2019 – The Ten Trails master-planned community is a one-of-a-kind place for families to live and has just announced their lineup of Summer events for homeowners, friends, and prospective homebuyers. Mark your calendars and get your picnic blankets, chairs and snacks ready for all the fun happening this summer.
“We are so thrilled to be part of this incredible community and the Summer series of events is a perfect example of what makes this masterplan an incredible place to live,” said Bill Salvesen, Division President for Lennar Seattle. “From summer movie nights, Farmer’s Markets, barbecues, Hometown Socials and more – there is plenty of fun to be had and opportunities to connect with your potential new neighbors.”
Be sure to mark your calendars and invite friends and family to join in on the fun. All Hometown Socials will host a special Farmer’s Market bringing more than 25 local vendors, food trucks, games, a beer garden, music, a zip line, kids’ activities and so much more!
For more information on upcoming events at Ten Trails or new homes for sale within the community, visit www.lennar.com/tentrails.
About Lennar
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com
Sacramento, Calif. – June 2019 – Lennar’s active adult community Heritage Vineyard Creek offers an incredible opportunity for 55+ homebuyers in seek of an amenity-rich lifestyle, low maintenance new home, and a prime Sacramento location. This new community offers a handful of quick move-in homes at an affordable price point that showcases modern design and features.
“Heritage Vineyard Creek is a great opportunity for homebuyers looking for a lock-and-leave lifestyle and prime location,” said Michelle Velky, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Lennar Sacramento. “All of our homes showcase single-story layouts with incredible design details and features, designed for active adult living, all at no additional cost.”
Home shoppers will find four distinctive single-story floorplans at Heritage Vineyard Creek. The homes range in size from approximately 1,743 to 2,206 square feet with two to three bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. The homes are priced starting from the high $300,000s for an incredible value.
Lennar’s series of Thoughtful Design® details are exclusively offered at Lennar’s active adult communities. Features such as illuminated addresses that help guests navigate through the neighborhood with ease, and wider doorways and hallways allow for easier movement throughout the home. Additionally, lower appliance design, walk-in showers with hand-held accessories and benches, extra lighting and windows, oversized water closets, reinforced backing in the bathrooms for future handrail placement and more make everyday life easier.
In addition to Thoughtful Design®, every home Lennar builds is a part of their Everything’s Included® program, which includes a high level of popular features at no additional cost. Upgrades such as granite or quartz kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances, solar, integrated home automation, and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ home designs for whole-home connectivity come included as standard.
Homeowners enjoy access to incredible amenities at The Resort, an exclusive clubhouse for residents. Built on a two-and-a-half acre site, The Resort offers a clubhouse with a large social/activity room that opens to a covered patio with furniture and a double-sided fireplace, a perfect venue for an event or meeting up with neighbors. It also features a large fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and men’s and women’s restrooms complete with showers.
Just beyond the patio is the sparkling swimming pool and spa, two lighted Pickle Ball courts, a Bocce ball court, community garden, vineyard area, picnic tables, gas barbecues and a well-maintained turf area for outdoor events. The layout provides plenty of flexible outdoor space that makes it easy to spend more time out in the sun.
Heritage Vineyard Creek is now open for tours seven days a week. Prospective homebuyers can learn more at their brunch and clubhouse tour taking place in two weeks on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Resort, located inside the community at 7463 Golden Stars Way in Sacramento.
For more information, to view floorplans or make an appointment visit www.lennar.com/sacramento or call (916) 304-9906.
About Lennar
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. Lennar builds affordable, move-up and active adult homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar’s Financial Services segment provides mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services for both buyers of Lennar’s homes and others. Lennar’s Rialto segment is a vertically integrated asset management platform focused on investing throughout the commercial real estate capital structure. Lennar’s Multifamily segment is a nationwide developer of high-quality multifamily rental properties. Previous press releases and further information about Lennar may be obtained at the “Investor Relations” section of Lennar’s website, www.lennar.com.
A new home equals a new life. The US Census Bureau reports that the average retirement age in the United States is 63 years old. As baby boomers are retiring earlier and living longer, they are looking to begin their golden years in a new home – and they know exactly what they want and where they want to live. Florida is consistently listed as a top state to retire to, likely due in large part to the friendly climate, hospitality mentality and the absence of state income tax.
Where to Retire magazine has been informing the US on retirement relocation since 1992, offering information and insights for retirees looking to begin the next leg of their journey. In June of each year, Where to Retire reveals “The Short List: 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States.” The communities come from 17 states. Florida has nine of the winning 50 communities.
In Central Florida – The Lakes at Harmony, in Harmony, is one of only nine master-planned communities in Florida to be recognized on “The Short List: 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States” this year. This age-restricted neighborhood touts a private amenities complex, sports courts and outdoor splendors like two lakes. Residents also have access to amenities in the larger Harmony development, including a golf course that winds through a 260-acre nature preserve.
Top Considerations for Relocating Retirees:
For more ways to enjoy your golden years in sunny Florida and for reasons why Florida consistently ranks as a top state to retire in, check out Lennar’s Open-Door Blog.
Millennials are ditching engagement rings and committing to each other by sharing a mortgage instead. Unlike their parents, millennials do not view marriage as a necessary step before buying a home together. Due to college debt, many millennials are putting off marriage and investing their savings into a home instead of a wedding. This move shows how different millennials are from previous generations and are prioritizing home ownership over marriage.
Step One: Have an open and transparent conversation
Congrats! You and your significant other have determined that you are both ready to take a big next step in the relationship and buy a home together. Now it is time to have an open and transparent conversation about your finances. It’s important to discuss income, credit card debt, student loans, savings, and any other finances in order to make a home buying game plan. Having this conversation early on will give both of you the opportunity to be open about any credit blemishes and get a hold of your finances prior to buying a home.
Step Two: Document an Agreement
Buying a home as an unmarried couple is not as simple as signing the standard real estate agreement. Buying a home, regardless of relationship status, is the single largest asset a person will purchase in their lifetime. It is crucial to have legal agreement documented that protects both you financially if things go south in the relationship.
This agreement often referred to as a home-buying prenuptial, helps address many questions including who is financially responsible for what and what were to happen if the relationship fails. Although no couple wants to talk about a potential break up, it is necessary to plan for the worst through a legal agreement now that you both still like each other. Failing to plan ahead could potentially leave you unprotected and will likely result in a messy and long legal battle.
Here are some questions your home-buying prenup should address:
Step Three: Pick a Title Wisely
When it comes to buying a home there’s no one title that fits all. Most married couples usually take the “Tenants by the Entirety”, on the other hand unmarried couples have to pick from: “Joint Tenants”, “Tenants in Common”, and sole ownership. Know your options and pick a title that works for both of you.
Tenants by Entirety: This title is only available for married couples and it gives both tenants 100% of ownership over the home.
Joint Tenants: This title allows each person to own 50% of the home. If one tenant passes away, their share automatically goes to the other tenant
Tenants in Common: This title allows unequal ownership of the home. For example, one tenant can own 60% of the property and while the other one owns 40%.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Involve Your Parents
Young unmarried couples often feel the urge to seek homebuying advice from mom and dad. However, homebuying is already complicated enough so why bring extra opinions into the equation.
Your parents’ generation did things more traditionally, so they might feel uncertain about the situation. Although, parents mean well it is your house so they only opinion that matters is yours. Just remember to be smart and get everything in writing.
