Saturday, November 28, 2009
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Preventative Maintenance Plan For Your Home
Monthly Services
-Change A/C Filters
-Close and reopen all water shut offs to prevent them from seizing up
-Check all water sources for proper operation
-Check ranges for proper operation
-Check and reset refrigerator settings if needed
-Check all screen work, and screen doors
-Check boardwalks, decks, and docks for protruding nails, wood rot, etc.
-Add enzymes in all tub/sink drains, and toilets to help keep drain lines, and septic systems functioning properly. *Done only by request-Add $3.00 monthly
-Treat all metal objects for corrosion-Doorknobs, dead-bolts, hinges, and other door hardware. Electrical receptacle, and light switch covers, exterior ceiling fans, telephone and cable television connection boxes, hurrican shutter boxes, and anything else that may require attention.
-General overall inspection
Bi-Monthly Services
-Clean tub and shower drains if needed.
-Vacuum air conditioning drain lines during the months of May-September to help prevent clogs, which cause water damage to the interior of a house.
Bi-Annual Services
-Inspect entire roof system and attic area for problems such as missing shingles, plumbing vent covers deteriorating, attic insulation out of place, air conditioning vent piping secured, etc.
-Clean shower head, and faucets
-Change smoke alarm batteries
-Check heating systems in Sept.
-Check cooling systems in early Spring
Annual Services
-Tighten all ceiling fan blades
-Clean refrigerator condensing coils
Cost of services: $30.00 plus, $6.00 per bedroom, $6.00 per bath, plus parts.
Signature needed authorizing SGIVP to pay Phipps Maintenance no later than 15 days after billing date.
-Change A/C Filters
-Close and reopen all water shut offs to prevent them from seizing up
-Check all water sources for proper operation
-Check ranges for proper operation
-Check and reset refrigerator settings if needed
-Check all screen work, and screen doors
-Check boardwalks, decks, and docks for protruding nails, wood rot, etc.
-Add enzymes in all tub/sink drains, and toilets to help keep drain lines, and septic systems functioning properly. *Done only by request-Add $3.00 monthly
-Treat all metal objects for corrosion-Doorknobs, dead-bolts, hinges, and other door hardware. Electrical receptacle, and light switch covers, exterior ceiling fans, telephone and cable television connection boxes, hurrican shutter boxes, and anything else that may require attention.
-General overall inspection
Bi-Monthly Services
-Clean tub and shower drains if needed.
-Vacuum air conditioning drain lines during the months of May-September to help prevent clogs, which cause water damage to the interior of a house.
Bi-Annual Services
-Inspect entire roof system and attic area for problems such as missing shingles, plumbing vent covers deteriorating, attic insulation out of place, air conditioning vent piping secured, etc.
-Clean shower head, and faucets
-Change smoke alarm batteries
-Check heating systems in Sept.
-Check cooling systems in early Spring
Annual Services
-Tighten all ceiling fan blades
-Clean refrigerator condensing coils
Cost of services: $30.00 plus, $6.00 per bedroom, $6.00 per bath, plus parts.
Signature needed authorizing SGIVP to pay Phipps Maintenance no later than 15 days after billing date.
Lighting of the Lights
Join the annual lighting of the holiday lights on St. George Island. Santa will arrive on a fire engine for the kids. The lighting will take place at dark. Lighthouse tours will be available. For more information call (850) 927-7744.
Date: December 4, 2009
Location : St. George Island
Category: Community Events / St George Island
Contact : St. George Island Visitor Center and Museum
Date: December 4, 2009
Location : St. George Island
Category: Community Events / St George Island
Contact : St. George Island Visitor Center and Museum
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Historic Annual Christmas Celebration
The Historic Apalachicola Christmas celebration will light up Apalachicola from 4:00-8:00 p.m. the streets of downtown Apalachicola will be lined with luminaries and filled with holiday spirit. Merchants will be open late the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets filling the evening with Christmas spirit. Santa will arrive on a shrimp boat at 4:00 p.m. at the City dock on Water Street, across from City Hall. Santa will hear children's Christmas wishes and carolers will sing. Join us for an old fashioned Christmas celebration! For more information contact the Chamber office at (850)653-9419.
Date: November 27, 2009
Location : Downtown Apalachicola
Category: Community Events / Apalachicola
Contact : Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact email : info@apalachicolabay.org
Date: November 27, 2009
Location : Downtown Apalachicola
Category: Community Events / Apalachicola
Contact : Apalachicola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact email : info@apalachicolabay.org
10 Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home
In a dour housing market, wouldn't it be nice to know that your remodeling project would pay off when you went to sell the property? Remodeling Magazine evaluated the top remodeling projects, how the cost-to-value has changed since the housing market implosion, and which projects are still worth the investment. Using the magazine's "Cost Vs. Value Report for 2008-2009," let's look at some of the best projects you can undertake and recoup the majority of your cost.
Upscale Projects
Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl).
With the economic slump, home buyers aren't being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.
More from Investopedia
» 10 Insurance Tips For Homeowners
» Cheap Home Renovations That Pay Off
» Home Renovations That Don't Pay
Window Replacement (vinyl or wood)
Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.
Bathroom Remodel
Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project - adding a complete bathroom - fell in value.
Major Kitchen Remodel
Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it's also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI.
Deck Addition (composite product)
With families cutting their entertainment budgets, they're spending more time at home, so it makes sense that adding a deck (composite, not wood) is a good investment. You can plan on recouping 63% of your total job cost to boost your home's value by nearly $24,000 if you paid the average job cost of $37,000.
Mid-Range Projects
While all of the mid-range projects dropped in value versus cost since 2007, there are still numerous projects that will net you a significant ROI. Here are a few of the best bets for your money:
Deck Addition (wood)
If your bank balance can't swing the higher price tag that comes with composite decking, you may still be able to afford a wood addition on to your home. While a wood deck would cost you, on average, in the neighborhood of $10,000, the resale value it will add to your home is more than $8,600 - an 81.8% return on your investment.
Siding Replacement (vinyl)
Fiber-cement or foam-banked vinyl are often more preferable siding upgrades, but getting vinyl siding replacements instead is still a good choice. You can recoup nearly 81% of your cost which, if the job cost you more than $10,000, means you could add more than $8,200 to your home's value.
Minor Kitchen Remodel
With belt-tightening in style, people are turning to minor kitchen improvement projects instead of major overhauls. It turns out that that choice is not only frugal, but financially wise. While major kitchen remodeling jobs can still, on average, return a nice 70% ROI for homeowners, minor kitchen remodeling jobs net an even higher 79.5% return.
Attic Bedroom
Anytime you can add bedrooms, you're going to add to the overall value - and listed purchase price - to your home. If your attic's dimensions allow you to convert it to a bedroom, you may want to consider investing the money to do so. You'll add some sleeping space and net a nice 74% return when a new buyer puts your home under contract.
Basement Remodel
If you're fortunate enough to live in an area with a water table high enough to permit basements, you should think about squeezing all the value you can out of it. By remodeling and finishing a previously-unfinished basement you can expect to get nearly 73% of your investment returned with a higher list price, come time to sell.
Conclusion
If you have savings or access to reasonably-priced credit, it's worth it to consider home improvement projects that will produce the best return for your time and money. Make sure you work with a reputable, licensed contractor (to avoid costly errors or budget overruns), and before you undertake any project it's a good idea to check and see if it could significantly increase your property tax bill.
While it may still make sense in the long-run to undertake the project and add overall value to your home, you may need to make a few budgetary changes so that you don't get caught off-guard when the tax bill comes.
Upscale Projects
Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl).
With the economic slump, home buyers aren't being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.
More from Investopedia
» 10 Insurance Tips For Homeowners
» Cheap Home Renovations That Pay Off
» Home Renovations That Don't Pay
Window Replacement (vinyl or wood)
Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.
Bathroom Remodel
Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project - adding a complete bathroom - fell in value.
Major Kitchen Remodel
Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it's also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI.
Deck Addition (composite product)
With families cutting their entertainment budgets, they're spending more time at home, so it makes sense that adding a deck (composite, not wood) is a good investment. You can plan on recouping 63% of your total job cost to boost your home's value by nearly $24,000 if you paid the average job cost of $37,000.
Mid-Range Projects
While all of the mid-range projects dropped in value versus cost since 2007, there are still numerous projects that will net you a significant ROI. Here are a few of the best bets for your money:
Deck Addition (wood)
If your bank balance can't swing the higher price tag that comes with composite decking, you may still be able to afford a wood addition on to your home. While a wood deck would cost you, on average, in the neighborhood of $10,000, the resale value it will add to your home is more than $8,600 - an 81.8% return on your investment.
Siding Replacement (vinyl)
Fiber-cement or foam-banked vinyl are often more preferable siding upgrades, but getting vinyl siding replacements instead is still a good choice. You can recoup nearly 81% of your cost which, if the job cost you more than $10,000, means you could add more than $8,200 to your home's value.
Minor Kitchen Remodel
With belt-tightening in style, people are turning to minor kitchen improvement projects instead of major overhauls. It turns out that that choice is not only frugal, but financially wise. While major kitchen remodeling jobs can still, on average, return a nice 70% ROI for homeowners, minor kitchen remodeling jobs net an even higher 79.5% return.
Attic Bedroom
Anytime you can add bedrooms, you're going to add to the overall value - and listed purchase price - to your home. If your attic's dimensions allow you to convert it to a bedroom, you may want to consider investing the money to do so. You'll add some sleeping space and net a nice 74% return when a new buyer puts your home under contract.
Basement Remodel
If you're fortunate enough to live in an area with a water table high enough to permit basements, you should think about squeezing all the value you can out of it. By remodeling and finishing a previously-unfinished basement you can expect to get nearly 73% of your investment returned with a higher list price, come time to sell.
Conclusion
If you have savings or access to reasonably-priced credit, it's worth it to consider home improvement projects that will produce the best return for your time and money. Make sure you work with a reputable, licensed contractor (to avoid costly errors or budget overruns), and before you undertake any project it's a good idea to check and see if it could significantly increase your property tax bill.
While it may still make sense in the long-run to undertake the project and add overall value to your home, you may need to make a few budgetary changes so that you don't get caught off-guard when the tax bill comes.
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