Archive for February, 2012
When Should I Change My Home’s Air Filters?
February 23rd, 2012 categories: Buyer Strategies, Home Life, Seller Strategies
How long has it been since you last changed your home’s air filters, Chantilly homeowners?
Home air filters trap and remove dust and particles from the air you breathe; leaving “clean air” to circulate your home.
Clean air in your home is important because it promotes better health.
One way to keep to keep your home’s air as clean as possible is to replace its used air filters at least once per quarter; or once monthly in homes with shedding pets or that otherwise “get dusty”.
Changing air filters is among the easier do-it-yourself chores for a Fairfax area homeowner; a task that takes less than one minute. The secondary benefit of doing it is that new filters help keep your HVAC unit in tip-top shape.
Here’s how to change your home’s air filter :
- Open the air filter compartment door/slider on your HVAC unit.
- Note the size of your current filter. It’s typically written on the frame.
- Note the direction in which the filter is pointing. There may be an arrow on its frame.
- Purchase a new filter at a hardware store. Make sure the sizes matches the size from Step 2.
- Remove the old filter.
- Replace old filter with the newly purchased one from Step 4. Make sure the arrow is pointing in the same direction as the original filter’s arrow.
- Using a marker, note the date of filter change on the side of the filter.
- Close the air filter compartment door/slider.
And that’s it.
When you find a filter type and style that you like, consider buying them in bulk — it can be helpful to have extra air filters laying around the home for when you need them — especially during season changes when you may want to replace filters more frequently.
In addition, when purchasing air filters, don’t opt for the cheapest available. Often, the least expensive filters allow large particles to recirculate through the HVAC unit, and back in to your home. Choose a mid-level or top-line product instead.
Your home and your health will thank you.
And when you are preparing your home for the possibility of selling here in the Northern Virginia area (or moving from elsewhere), please know that I am here to help! You can contact me directly with any questions.
If you are searching for a Chantilly area real estate agent, trying to make sure you make a great choice from the start, I invite you to visit of real estate Testimonial Video. It is an honest presentation of what makes us different.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Nice Rise in Homebuilder Confidence
February 18th, 2012 categories: Buyer Strategies, Seller Strategies
Chantilly home buyers and home sellers will welcome a little good housing news.
There has been some lately. The nation’s home builders are predicting a strong 2012 for new home sales. It may mean somewhat higher home prices as the spring buying season approaches.
For the sixth straight month, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that homebuilder confidence is rising. The Housing Market Index went up four points to 29 in February, the index’s highest reading since May 2007.
The Housing Market Index is now up 8 points in 8 weeks. The last time that happened was June 2003, a month during which the U.S. economy was regaining its footing, much like this month. It’s noteworthy that June 2003 marked the start of a 4-year bull run in the stock market that took equities up 54%.
The NAHB’s Housing Market Index itself is actually a composite reading. It’s the end-result of three separate surveys sent to home builders monthly.
They ask fundamental questions:
- How are market conditions for the sale of new homes today?
- How are market conditions for the sale of new homes in 6 months?
- How is prospective buyer foot traffic?
In February, builders reported marked improvement across all three areas. Builders report that current home sales climbed 5 points; that sales expectations for the next 6 months climbed 5 points; and that buyer foot traffic climbed 1 point.
Most notable of all of the statistics, though, is that the nation’s home builders report that there are now twice as many buyers setting foot inside model units as compared to just 6 months ago.
This data is supported by the monthly New Home Sales report which shows rising sales and a shrinking new home inventory.
Because of this, Chantilly and Northern Virginia area new home buyers may seet fewer concessions from builders at the time of contract including fewer price breaks on a home and fewer free upgrades. Builders are more upbeat about future prospects, and therefore, may be less willing to be as flexible.
This spring may mark the best time of year to buy a new home. 60 days forward, it may not be quite a good. You can never know for sure, but these are some insights that may be helpful. And if you are a home buyer or home seller, either living in the Northern Virginia area or moving to it, we are here to provide help and information. If you are looking for someone to possibly work with, we invite you to check out our authentic Testimonial Video which is mostly in the voice of people we have helped to realize their real estate goals. Please let us know if you have any questions about Chantilly and Northern Virginia real estate.
| Discussion: No Comments »
Top 10 Sunniest Cities In the United States
February 17th, 2012 categories: Buyer Strategies, Community Life, Seller Strategies
As compared to gloomy days, do “sunny days” put you in a good mood? If you’re like many people in the Northern Virginia area , the answer is “yes”.
In a study of more than 1,200 people, researchers found that daily weather factors such as temperature, precipitation and length of day can alter a person’s emotional state. Of all the weather factors, however, “sunshine” can have the most profound effect.
The most likely reason is because sunshine affects people in a physiological manner.
When the human brain detects sunlight, our bodies produce serotonin, a chemical which promotes happiness and well-being. By contrast, when the brain detect darkness, our bodies produce melatonin, a chemical which promotes sleep cycles.
Sunlight — quite literally — leads to happiness.
Understanding the effect of sunlight on human mood, therefore, we must consider the nation’s “sunniest cities” as more than just a novelty list. It may be a link to personal well-being, too.
From the National Climactic Data Center, these are the Top 10 Sunniest Cities in the United States :
- Yuma, AZ : Sunny on 90% of all days
- Redding, CA : Sunny on 88% of all days
- Las Vegas, NV : Sunny on 85% of all days
- Phoenix, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
- Tucson, AZ : Sunny on 85% of all days
- El Paso, TX : Sunny on 84% of all days
- Fresno, CA : Sunny on 79% of all days
- Reno, NV : Sunny on 79% of all days
- Flagstaff, AZ : Sunny on 78% of all days
- Sacramento, CA : Sunny on 78% of all days
The complete Sunshine Rankings as listed by Metropolitan Area is available on the NCDC website.
If you are considering a move to one of these “sunniest cities” please know that I am here to help you with your move. Our websites have lots of tools, and you can contact me directly with any questions. We are always here for you!
| Discussion: No Comments »
