Sug Jandu's Blog
Chimney maintenance and repair is incredibly important. You need to complete certain tasks to ensure that your fireplace is working safely and effectively. There’s no better time than the off season to get these tasks in order.
Remember that you should only burn dry wood in your fireplace. Although fireplaces aren’t high on the technology spectrum, they do require some effort to keep in working order. Failure to do so can result in smoke and even a chimney fire. Soot build up can put a damper on the proper ventilation of the chimney. The soot is partly a result of creosote- a combustible, tar-like substance. It’s a natural by-product of wood that has been burned. With reduced ventilation, the creosote will cause potentially dangerous build up.
While creosote itself is not flammable, it can cause the chimney to clog and structural damage could result. It’s important to properly maintain your chimney in order to prevent dangerous oil build-up that can cause a chimney fire.
Inspections
A professional can come and inspect your fireplace and chimney. They can check for damage, obstructions, build-up, or soot. The inspector will be able to determine if you need a sweep of your chimney. The inspector will be able to do the sweep on the spot in most cases. An inspection of your chimney should take place every year.
There are different levels of chimney inspections that occur. Basic inspections are a visual look at anything that could be in your chimney from soot to a bird’s nest. More complex inspections could involve taking the chimney apart and physically reconstructing the structure. This would occur after some kind of a natural disaster like a hurricane or a tornado. The cost of these inspections depends on how extensive they become.
Other Maintenance
You can improve your fireplace’s functioning with a few basic steps. Fist, you should only burn dry wood. Logs should be split and dried for 8-12 months. You should also burn certain types of wood especially hardwoods like hickory, oak, beech, maple and ash. These woods burn the longest. The most important thing about wood to be burned in the fireplace is that it is dry.
Burn Only Wood
It can be tempting to throw things into your fireplace to burn, but you should keep away from burning construction wood, plastics, or other things that could let off odors. Even burning paper can be dangerous because of the embers that result as the fire burns.
If you keep on top of your scheduled chimney maintenance and replace parts as needed, you’ll be able to have lovely fires all winter long with peace of mind.
Photo by WaveBreakMedia via Shutterstock
A troubling trend in today’s home is difficulty finding restful sleep. Most of us have heard of a few ways to create a more relaxing atmosphere before bed. Here are a couple others to add to that list.
Add Plants
Many people avoid putting plants in their bedroom because they’re afraid they’ll get forgotten and die. But many plants filter toxins and improve oxygen levels. Try adding a Pothos, Philodendron or an easy-care Sansevieria (also called a snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue) to your room. Others add scents that encourage relaxation such as lavender and mint.
Reduce the Textiles
Modern design tends to add pillows, throws, curtains and fabric wall hangings to bedrooms. However, textiles tend to collect piles of dust. Take a moment to look at your curtain tops or canopy, and you’ll see more than you bargained for. Dust triggers allergies, and even in folks with no allergies, the extra dust in the air makes breathing more difficult and sleep less restful. Instead, decorate your room with a floral or geometric wall covering. Cover windows with easy-care plantation shutters that dust right off. Purchase coverlets or duvet covers that easily pop in the washer to keep the dust at bay.
Incorporating these simple changes into your bedroom helps promote a restful atmosphere and improve sleep. Simpler bedroom décor makes keeping your home up for an impromptu showing easier too. If your home is on the market, ask your agent about the best way to stage your bedroom so that you can combine restfulness with the peace of knowing your home shows at its best.
Although you might have a home selling timeline in place, there may be instances where changes to your plan are required. These include:
1. You are listing your home in a buyer's market.
If you add your house to a buyer's market, you likely will face lots of competition from rival home sellers. As such, it may be difficult to enjoy a fast, profitable home selling experience if you fail to promote your residence accordingly.
To succeed in a buyer's market, you'll need to be patient. But if you can find ways to differentiate your house from the competition, you could maximize your home sale earnings.
Oftentimes, it helps to revamp a house's curb appeal. By mowing the front lawn and performing various home exterior improvements, you can help your house make a positive first impression on potential buyers.
You also should spend some time removing clutter from inside your house. That way, you can make it easy for buyers to envision what life may be like if they purchase your home.
2. You are struggling to stir up interest in your house.
After you add your house to the real estate market, it may be several weeks or months before a buyer submits an offer to purchase your residence. And if you're committed to optimizing the value of your house, it is important to wait for the right offer before you finalize your house sale.
If your home initially fails to stir up interest among buyers, there is no need to worry. In fact, there are many things that you can do to ensure your house hits the mark with buyers.
Generally, it is a good idea to establish an aggressive initial home asking price. This price should account for your house's condition, age and the current state of the real estate market.
It typically is beneficial to consider the homebuyer's perspective as well. Because if you understand why a buyer may be interested in your house, you could discover ways to help you house stand out in a competitive real estate market.
3. You have yet to hire a real estate agent.
Finding a real estate agent who can help you sell your house is key. Yet if you fail to employ an expert real estate agent right away, it may be difficult to enjoy a quick, seamless home selling experience.
Real estate agents are available in cities and towns nationwide, and these housing market professionals are happy to assist you in any way possible. If you need a real estate agent who can help you list your house and promote it to dozens of potential buyers, you should have no trouble finding an agent who matches or surpasses your expectations. Or, if you want to find a real estate agent who can offer tips throughout the home selling journey, you can choose from many potential candidates in your area.
Remember, be flexible as you proceed along the home selling journey, and you can increase the likelihood of achieving the best-possible results.
11310 Peters Farm Way, Westborough, MA 01581
Condo
$487,060
Price
$457,060
Sale Price
