Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
IT IS TIME TO BUY ON THE EMERALD COAST
They say that timing is everything in sports, life, and most importantly in investing. Despite the negative news that everyone has heard about decreasing housing values, fallout from the sub-prime mortgage crises, and the tightening of mortgage lending, now is the best time to capitalize on some tangible investments deals.
The Florida panhandle is an area that has historically shown that home prices do bounces back from a negative market correction, and that real estate investments can be one of the soundest types of long term investments.It might be contrary to popular thinking that this is the best time to invest in Florida panhandle real estate, but the best deals are happening right now. Prices are at levels that that have not been seen in years, and they will not last for long.
Have you been looking for an alternative investment solution that has beautiful views, soothing breezes, and relaxing sounds of gulf? Are you looking for investment property that has no headaches, completely managed, built to weather the storm, and has an achievable income stream that makes this investment a winner?
This isn’t just an emotional investment; it’s a tangible, diversified investment that makes financial sense. Don’t just take our word for this, a leading syndicated penny pincher from Atlanta has said the same.
Contact Us Today For More Information at 800.643.7154.
The Florida panhandle is an area that has historically shown that home prices do bounces back from a negative market correction, and that real estate investments can be one of the soundest types of long term investments.It might be contrary to popular thinking that this is the best time to invest in Florida panhandle real estate, but the best deals are happening right now. Prices are at levels that that have not been seen in years, and they will not last for long.
Have you been looking for an alternative investment solution that has beautiful views, soothing breezes, and relaxing sounds of gulf? Are you looking for investment property that has no headaches, completely managed, built to weather the storm, and has an achievable income stream that makes this investment a winner?
This isn’t just an emotional investment; it’s a tangible, diversified investment that makes financial sense. Don’t just take our word for this, a leading syndicated penny pincher from Atlanta has said the same.
Contact Us Today For More Information at 800.643.7154.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Power Realty at Alpharetta Lofts Ribbon Cutting and Breaking Ground Event
Breaking Ground On The New Alpharetta Lofts Project in Downtown Alpharetta
Breaking Ground On The New Alpharetta Lofts Project in Downtown Alpharetta with Councilman David Belle Isle, Councilman John Monson, Councilman Jim Payne, Developer, Mayor Authur Letchas, Power Realty Cammy Wishart and Power Realty Susan Daniels.Friday, March 28, 2008
Power Realty Team At Woodbridge Crossing Grand Opening
Power Realty Team At Woodbridge Crossing Grand Opening
From left to right: Chad Redfern, Kirk Driskell, Kip Polk, Shawn Graves, Tori Young, Sarah Bausano, Cutch Moore, Carrie Letchus, Jennifer Spivey and Gregory Kurtz
Power Ball 2008 In Alpharetta Georgia At The Marriott
Power Ball 2008 In Alpharetta Georgia At The Marriott
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Linking New Financing to Carbon Reduction
Linking New Financing to Carbon Reduction
Three of the world's leading financial institutions have come up new climate change guidelines for advisors and lenders to power companies in the United States.
The principles were developed in partnership by Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, and in consultation with leading power companies American Electric Power, CMS Energy, DTE Energy, NRG Energy, PSEG, Sempra and Southern Co. Environmental Defense and the Natural Resources Defense Council, environmental non-governmental organizations, also advised on the creation of the principles.
This effort is the first time a group of banks has come together and consulted with power companies and environmental groups to develop a process for understanding carbon risk around power sector investments needed to meet future economic growth and the needs of consumers for reliable and affordable energy.
The principles recognize the benefits of a portfolio approach to meeting the power needs of consumers, without prescribing how power companies should act to meet these needs. However, if high carbon dioxide-emitting technologies are selected by power companies, the signatory banks have agreed to follow an enhanced diligence process and factor these risks and potential mitigants into the final financing decision.
"There was full and frank dialogue around the table," said Matt Arnold, director of Sustainable Finance, which helped coordinate the development of the principles and enhanced diligence process. "There was a remarkable amount of debate and exchange of information and views among the banks, power companies and environmental organizations. The dialogue resulted in a rigorous analysis of the carbon risks in power investments, and sets the stage for further discussion."
Called, The Carbon Principles, they are the result of a nine-month intensive effort to create an approach to evaluating and addressing carbon risks in the financing of electric power projects.
The effort creates a consistent approach among major lenders and advisors in evaluating climate change risks and opportunities in the US electric power industry. The principles and associated enhanced diligence represent a first step in a process aimed at providing banks and their power industry clients with a consistent roadmap for reducing the regulatory and financial risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions.
The need for these principles is driven by the risks faced by the power industry as utilities, independent producers, regulators, lenders and investors deal with the uncertainties around regional and national climate change policy.
The consortium has developed an enhanced diligence framework to help lenders better understand and evaluate the potential carbon risks associated with coal plant investments.
Citi, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley have pledged their commitment to the principles to use as a framework when talking about these issues with clients.
"To move the needle on global warming, clean energy technologies need to be developed, demonstrated and deployed as quickly as possible," said David Crane, president and CEO of NRG Energy Inc. "Given the capital intensive nature of this challenge, we welcome these carbon principles as a sign that America's leading financial institutions are ready to support a massive increase of investment in clean energy solutions. With the support of both Wall Street and public policymakers in Washington, the American power industry can lead the way in achieving the dramatic GHG reductions that are critical to the health of both our economy and our planet."
The principles are as follows.
-- An effective way to limit CO2 emissions is to not produce them. The signatory financial institutions will encourage clients to invest in cost-effective demand reduction, taking into consideration the value of avoided CO2 emissions. The group will also encourage regulatory and legislative changes that increase efficiency in electricity consumption including the removal of barriers to investment in cost-effective demand reduction. The institutions will consider demand reduction caused by increased energy efficiency (or other means) as part of the enhanced diligence Process and assess its impact on proposed financings of certain new fossil fuel generation.
-- Renewable energy and low carbon distributed energy technologies hold considerable promise for meeting the electricity needs of the U.S. while also leveraging American technology and creating jobs. The group will encourage clients to invest in cost-effective renewables and distributed technologies, taking into consideration the value of avoided CO2 emissions. The group will also encourage legislative and regulatory changes that remove barriers to, and promote such investments (including related investments in infrastructure and equipment needed to support the connection of renewable sources to the system). The group will consider production increases from renewable and low carbon generation as part of the enhanced diligence process and assess their impact on proposed financings of certain new fossil fuel generation.
-- In addition to cost effective energy efficiency, renewables and low carbon distributed generation, investments in conventional or advanced generating facilities will be needed to supply reliable electric power to the US market. This may include power from natural gas, coal and nuclear technologies. Due to evolving climate policy, investing in CO2-emitting fossil fuel generation entails uncertain financial, regulatory and certain environmental liability risks. It is the purpose of the enhanced diligence process to assess and reflect these risks in the financing considerations for certain fossil fuel generation. The group will encourage regulatory and legislative changes that facilitate carbon capture and storage (CCS) to further reduce CO2 emissions from the electric sector.
Power Realty Expanded Commercial Roundtable
Today marks the first in an expanded series of Commercial Training Programs launched by Power Realty Parners in its quest to build the stongest and most aggressive commercial sales team in the Greater Atlanta market. Power Realty Partners is based in Alpharetta, GA with five branch offices in surrounding counties along with an office in Grayton Beach, FL.
Power is a full service brokerage that currently has 150+ agents in house with defined specialties in commercial, residential and resort properties.
Please contact Power Today For More Information.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Weak dollar makes Atlanta a good buy for overseas investors
Weak dollar makes Atlanta a good buy for overseas investors
By JULIE B. HAIRSTONThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/08/08 Canadian real estate investor Beau Jarvis came to Atlanta by way of Hong Kong.
Representing Onni Group of Companies, one of western Canada's largest developers, Jarvis encountered Kerman Haynes, president of Atlanta-based InterConnect Worldwide, last fall at a Hong Kong trade conference.
Frank Niemeir/Staff(ENLARGE) J. Dunn, Kerman Haynes, Uri Vaknin and Canadian Beau Jarvis tour the Horizon Condominiums on Windy Ridge Parkway in Atlanta on Friday Feb. 1, 2008. Atlanta is one of the top draws for residential real estate investors.
Frank Niemeir/Staff(ENLARGE) The Horizon Condominiums on Windy Ridge Parkway in Atlanta. Global investment interest is helping buoy Atlanta's real estate market. What Haynes told him about metro Atlanta's real estate market piqued his interest enough to prompt a recent visit to tour available properties.
Investors like Jarvis are helping to buoy Atlanta's real estate market in the tough 2008 economic climate. Increasingly, as U.S. buyers struggle under the weight of a slowing economy, marketing executives are searching the globe for potential customers.
Haynes, representing a range of U.S. developers, many of them in Atlanta, spent almost two months participating in trade shows in the Middle East and Asia making connections with international buyers like Jarvis. His company provides a range of services for investors who want to buy residential real estate in the United States.
Despite slowed sales and an oversupply of unsold homes, Atlanta's home prices are showing only a 2 percent decline, ranking it fifth among metro markets nationwide for price stability.
That stability, and the promise of future growth, is attracting a meaningful share of foreign investment.
In a 2007 study, the National Association of Realtors estimated that about 3 percent of all residential real estate transactions nationwide involved international buyers.
And properties in the South dominated their investments. Almost half, 49 percent, of foreign investment in U.S. residential property is in the South. The West follows in popularity at 31 percent.
Florida topped the list of states favored by international investors at 26 percent. California and Texas followed at 16 and 10 percent respectively. Georgia, with 2 percent, ranked ninth among the states for foreign investment in residential real estate in 2007, according to the Realtors' study.
Weak dollar, strong buy
Although he represents Atlanta properties including Trump Tower, Atlantic Station and the W, Haynes also has clients in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Florida.
The weak dollar has made American properties popular among global investors, he said. And Atlanta ranked high in investor interest at Asian trade shows, eclipsed only by Los Angeles, according to Haynes.
"What made a huge difference for Atlanta ... is the fact we have big-name, global real estate players here," Haynes said.
Names like Trump and W sell well among foreign buyers, Haynes said, because they are known and trusted. AIG, which owns Atlantic Station, also invokes worldwide recognition.
Some of Atlanta's foreign real estate investors buy in bulk, such as clusters of condo units or whole floors of buildings, but others make single-unit purchases to be rented or used as a base for U.S. travel.
"They're very educated on what's happening in our market right now, so they know that now is the opportune time to invest," Haynes said.
Although Onni, which has holdings in Mexico and Vietnam, has resisted investment in U.S. properties in the past, Jarvis said the company now thinks the time may have come to add some American properties to its portfolio.
"Our [Canadian] dollar is stronger now, so it makes more sense," Jarvis said.
He came to Atlanta on Feb. 1 during a tour of U.S. markets the company is interested in. Those interests also include Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix.
Jarvis surveyed the city skyline from Horizon, a new Marietta condo built by Wood Partners. Wood's Southeastern Director Mark Randall directed the tour as Haynes and executives from The Marketing Directors offered additional support.
"It's not as overbuilt as some of the places I'm visiting," Jarvis said after looking over units ranging in price from $240,000 to $850,000. "The fundamentals here look good. I can say with confidence we'll be back."
U.S. is "on sale"
New York attorney Joseph Forte also spends his time helping foreign investors overcome legal, financial and cultural barriers to buying American assets. He said the weak dollar and declining home prices are causing a stir overseas.
"For most Europeans, especially people in the [United Kingdom], the United States is on sale," Forte said. "It's like buying stuff for 50 cents."
In addition to attractive prices, Forte said foreign investors are attracted to American political stability and the transparency of its laws on property ownership.
The Realtors' study drew a similar conclusion.
"The U.S. market contains a large supply of real estate," wrote Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the Realtors. "It is also fairly easy to purchase a home in this country; the U.S. does not restrict or scrutinize most property purchases by foreigners, as happens in other countries. There are few barriers to owning a property."
The Olympics put Atlanta on global investor's radar for the first time, Forte said, and when potential buyers arrived to look it over, they found a lot to like: an international airport with a large selection of intercontinental flights, a diverse economy, a wide array of property types and styles and an increasingly sophisticated cultural infrastructure.
"Atlanta is a much more cosmopolitan place [than before the Olympics] and it is the economic heart of the southeastern part of the United States," Forte said.
Dutch auction
Dutch businessman Ewoud Swaak sees opportunity in metro Atlanta's declining home sales. His company, Westplan Investments, is organizing a $40 million fund created by investors from The Netherlands to buy local repossessed development lots from lenders.
Swaak's plan calls for the fund to hold the land until the market recovers, when the discounted lots will again begin to reclaim their value.
"We will just have to wait and sit on it," Swaak said. "I think the market will come back."
His Dutch investors are attracted to Atlanta's open spaces, warm climate, friendly people, growing cultural life and accessible international airport.
"We think it will continue to grow despite its infrastructure challenges," Swaak said, referring to metro Atlanta's ongoing efforts to ease traffic gridlock and manage its water resources.
The Realtors' study suggests that foreign investment in U.S. real estate is likely to grow, especially as the housing slump and weak dollar make American markets a bargain-hunter's stalking ground.
"While U.S. housing markets are no longer performing at record-breaking levels, U.S. real estate is still considered a prime investment opportunity for foreign buyers and a 'safe haven' in which to put their money," the study said.
By JULIE B. HAIRSTONThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/08/08 Canadian real estate investor Beau Jarvis came to Atlanta by way of Hong Kong.
Representing Onni Group of Companies, one of western Canada's largest developers, Jarvis encountered Kerman Haynes, president of Atlanta-based InterConnect Worldwide, last fall at a Hong Kong trade conference.
Frank Niemeir/Staff(ENLARGE) J. Dunn, Kerman Haynes, Uri Vaknin and Canadian Beau Jarvis tour the Horizon Condominiums on Windy Ridge Parkway in Atlanta on Friday Feb. 1, 2008. Atlanta is one of the top draws for residential real estate investors.
Frank Niemeir/Staff(ENLARGE) The Horizon Condominiums on Windy Ridge Parkway in Atlanta. Global investment interest is helping buoy Atlanta's real estate market. What Haynes told him about metro Atlanta's real estate market piqued his interest enough to prompt a recent visit to tour available properties.
Investors like Jarvis are helping to buoy Atlanta's real estate market in the tough 2008 economic climate. Increasingly, as U.S. buyers struggle under the weight of a slowing economy, marketing executives are searching the globe for potential customers.
Haynes, representing a range of U.S. developers, many of them in Atlanta, spent almost two months participating in trade shows in the Middle East and Asia making connections with international buyers like Jarvis. His company provides a range of services for investors who want to buy residential real estate in the United States.
Despite slowed sales and an oversupply of unsold homes, Atlanta's home prices are showing only a 2 percent decline, ranking it fifth among metro markets nationwide for price stability.
That stability, and the promise of future growth, is attracting a meaningful share of foreign investment.
In a 2007 study, the National Association of Realtors estimated that about 3 percent of all residential real estate transactions nationwide involved international buyers.
And properties in the South dominated their investments. Almost half, 49 percent, of foreign investment in U.S. residential property is in the South. The West follows in popularity at 31 percent.
Florida topped the list of states favored by international investors at 26 percent. California and Texas followed at 16 and 10 percent respectively. Georgia, with 2 percent, ranked ninth among the states for foreign investment in residential real estate in 2007, according to the Realtors' study.
Weak dollar, strong buy
Although he represents Atlanta properties including Trump Tower, Atlantic Station and the W, Haynes also has clients in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas and Florida.
The weak dollar has made American properties popular among global investors, he said. And Atlanta ranked high in investor interest at Asian trade shows, eclipsed only by Los Angeles, according to Haynes.
"What made a huge difference for Atlanta ... is the fact we have big-name, global real estate players here," Haynes said.
Names like Trump and W sell well among foreign buyers, Haynes said, because they are known and trusted. AIG, which owns Atlantic Station, also invokes worldwide recognition.
Some of Atlanta's foreign real estate investors buy in bulk, such as clusters of condo units or whole floors of buildings, but others make single-unit purchases to be rented or used as a base for U.S. travel.
"They're very educated on what's happening in our market right now, so they know that now is the opportune time to invest," Haynes said.
Although Onni, which has holdings in Mexico and Vietnam, has resisted investment in U.S. properties in the past, Jarvis said the company now thinks the time may have come to add some American properties to its portfolio.
"Our [Canadian] dollar is stronger now, so it makes more sense," Jarvis said.
He came to Atlanta on Feb. 1 during a tour of U.S. markets the company is interested in. Those interests also include Miami, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix.
Jarvis surveyed the city skyline from Horizon, a new Marietta condo built by Wood Partners. Wood's Southeastern Director Mark Randall directed the tour as Haynes and executives from The Marketing Directors offered additional support.
"It's not as overbuilt as some of the places I'm visiting," Jarvis said after looking over units ranging in price from $240,000 to $850,000. "The fundamentals here look good. I can say with confidence we'll be back."
U.S. is "on sale"
New York attorney Joseph Forte also spends his time helping foreign investors overcome legal, financial and cultural barriers to buying American assets. He said the weak dollar and declining home prices are causing a stir overseas.
"For most Europeans, especially people in the [United Kingdom], the United States is on sale," Forte said. "It's like buying stuff for 50 cents."
In addition to attractive prices, Forte said foreign investors are attracted to American political stability and the transparency of its laws on property ownership.
The Realtors' study drew a similar conclusion.
"The U.S. market contains a large supply of real estate," wrote Lawrence Yun, senior economist for the Realtors. "It is also fairly easy to purchase a home in this country; the U.S. does not restrict or scrutinize most property purchases by foreigners, as happens in other countries. There are few barriers to owning a property."
The Olympics put Atlanta on global investor's radar for the first time, Forte said, and when potential buyers arrived to look it over, they found a lot to like: an international airport with a large selection of intercontinental flights, a diverse economy, a wide array of property types and styles and an increasingly sophisticated cultural infrastructure.
"Atlanta is a much more cosmopolitan place [than before the Olympics] and it is the economic heart of the southeastern part of the United States," Forte said.
Dutch auction
Dutch businessman Ewoud Swaak sees opportunity in metro Atlanta's declining home sales. His company, Westplan Investments, is organizing a $40 million fund created by investors from The Netherlands to buy local repossessed development lots from lenders.
Swaak's plan calls for the fund to hold the land until the market recovers, when the discounted lots will again begin to reclaim their value.
"We will just have to wait and sit on it," Swaak said. "I think the market will come back."
His Dutch investors are attracted to Atlanta's open spaces, warm climate, friendly people, growing cultural life and accessible international airport.
"We think it will continue to grow despite its infrastructure challenges," Swaak said, referring to metro Atlanta's ongoing efforts to ease traffic gridlock and manage its water resources.
The Realtors' study suggests that foreign investment in U.S. real estate is likely to grow, especially as the housing slump and weak dollar make American markets a bargain-hunter's stalking ground.
"While U.S. housing markets are no longer performing at record-breaking levels, U.S. real estate is still considered a prime investment opportunity for foreign buyers and a 'safe haven' in which to put their money," the study said.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS GAUGE
HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS GOING?
It is always important to take a look at your business and evaluate where you are. There are basically three levels in the real estate business. You can easily determine where you are by answering the following questions:
SURVIVAL LEVEL
- Do you feel like you are fighting everyday to make a living?
- Are the majority of your phone calls outgoing?
THRIVING LEVEL
- Are you doing good, but feel like you could do more?
- Do you have a pipeline of business built up?
ROCKIN LEVEL
- Do you have a client base referring you business?
- Have you narrowed your client base or property type?
- Are the majority of your phone calls incoming?
Where are you today?
Where do you want to be?
Kirk Driskell CEO of Power Realty Q&A
Recently Kirk Driskell CEO of Power Realty had a Q&A with Power Realty's sales team discussing the reasons that most people decide to become real estate agents.
I started in the real estate business in 1999 and have seen a lot of agents come and go. Most agents get into the real estate business because they either needed or wanted one or more of the following items:
- Independence
- Flexibility
- More family time
- More money
- It looked like an easy business
- Work fewer hours
- Set their own hours
- Work for themselves
All of the above are excellent reasons to become a real estate agent. To be able to do want you want and when is a great freedom that I and many of you truly enjoy. Family time is wonderful from couch time, doctors appointments, donuts with Dad, softball games, gymnastics, football games, school plays, etc... they are memories that I and each of you cherish. How about working less, when you want to and making more money. These are all excellent reasons to become an agent. The one thing that is for certain is it is not as easy as it looks though.
What is very interesting is that very few figure out along the way that they have to treat their daily activities like a business. When you first get your license it is easy to sleep in late, go the the gym, get to the office, go grab some lunch with some co workers, return to the office, check some email and then head home. You have your license hanging at a brokerage firm, but you are a business owner. You can either be your best employee or your worst. Many fail because they do not have any direction or goal for themselves or their business.
To be truly successful in this business you need to have a plan. Your plan will most likely be very different from mine, but it is paramount to your success. You may have an idea of what you want to accomplish, but you have to have a map to get it done. A business plan is crucial for your success in the real estate business.
I heard a statement this past year that stands so true to this business:Blockquote src="http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.quote.gif" border=0>There are two types of pain, the pain of discipline and the pain of regretBlockquote src="http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.quote.gif" border=0> I would like to challenge you to try the pain of discipline.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
WIN A TOYOTA FJ FOR $100
This is your chance to WIN a Toyota FJ.
ONLY 750 tickets will be sold. Tickets will be available starting 1-9-2008. Call now to make your donation they will not last long.
Power Realty Commercial Roundtable
Today marks the first in a series of Commercial Training Programs launched by Power Realty Parners in its quest to build the stongest and most aggressive commercial sales team in the Greater Atlanta market. Power Realty Partners is based in Alpharetta, GA with three branch offices in surrounding counties along with an office in Grayton Beach, FL. Power is a full service brokerage that currently has 80+ agents in house with defined specialties in commercial, residential and resort properties.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Protecting Your Home from Fire and Carbon Monoxide
Safety & You
Everyone wants to live in a safe and worry free environment with their families, spouse, and children. However, most people are closer to a disaster waiting to happen than they think. Safety may not be an issue that comes to mind as you go about your daily routine. You may feel safe. Yet, lurking in your home are dangers that can take lives and destroy property.
Fire Facts
Thousands of people die from fire every year. Most residential fire deaths occur because of inhalation of toxic gas, rather than contact with the flames. The tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented by taking a few precautions.
General Fire Prevention Tips
Do not plug too many appliances into an electrical outlet.
Make sure that combustibles are not too close to heaters, stoves and fireplaces.
Never smoke in bed, or leave a burning cigarette in an ashtray.
Do not use damaged or frayed electrical cords or extension cords.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Teach your children about the dangers of playing with fire.
Never use extension cords with heating or air conditioning equipment.
Purchase smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for each floor of your home.
Have an Emergency Escape Plan! Practice it frequently!
Develop an emergency exit plan and an alternate exit plan. The most obvious way out may be blocked by fire. A window will usually be the second way out of a bedroom. Make sure that screens or storm windows can be easily removed. If you live in a two story home, you should have an escape ladder for each occupied bedroom. Escape ladders are available for purchase, and they can easily be stored under a bed or in a closet.
Establish a meeting place outside your home to be sure everyone has escaped. Every family member should participate in practicing escape drills at least two times per year.
In the event of fire, do not stop to get dressed or gather valuables. Seconds count - do not search for the family pet.
Teach your family that in a fire they must stay low to the floor to avoid smoke and intense heat. Passageways may be completely filled with dense smoke, so everyone should practice exiting on their hands and knees while blindfolded.
Train family members to feel a closed door before exiting. If the door is warm, open it slowly, and close it quickly if heat or smoke rushes in.
Establish a rule that once you're out, you never re-enter under any circumstances. As soon as two people have reached the meeting place, one should call 911 from a neighbor's house.
Smoke Alarms
Through education and media campaigns, most people now realize the importance of smoke alarms, and most homes in North America have them.
Recommendations:
Purchase a smoke alarm for every floor of your home, and read the instructions on how to use it and where to position it.
Smoke alarms should be placed near bedrooms, either on the ceiling or six to twelve inches below the ceiling on the wall.
Local codes may require additional alarms. Check with your fire department or building code official.
Locate smoke alarms away from air vents.
Test your alarms regularly to ensure that they still work.
If you have a battery powered alarm, change the battery every six months when you change your clocks.
For maximum protection, install BOTH ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms in the home for the optimum detection of fast flaming fires and slow smoldering fires.
Fire Extinguishers
To guard against small fires or to keep a small fire from developing into a big one, every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. Because almost all fires are small at first, they might be contained if a fire extinguisher is handy and used properly. You should take care, however, to select the right kind of fire extinguisher, because there are different ones for different kinds of fires. Install fire extinguishers on every level of the home and include the kitchen, basement and garage.
Selecting a Fire Extinguisher
Extinguishers are classified according to the class of fire for which they are suitable. The four classes of fires are A, B, C, D:
Class A fires involve common combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash and plastics. They are common in typical commercial and home settings.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids, solvents, oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers and other oil-based products. Class B fires often spread rapidly. Unless they are properly suppressed, they can re-flash after the flames have been extinguished.
Class C fires involve energized equipment such as wiring, controls, motors, machinery or appliances. They can be caused by a spark, a power surge, or a short circuit and typically occur in locations that may be difficult to see or reach.
Class D fires involve combustible metals.
A typical home or office fire extinguisher should have an ABC rating.
Carbon Monoxide
One of the greatest threats to your safety is the quality of air within your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a subtle yet dangerous threat because the gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless.
Each year, hundreds of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Thousands of other people suffer the effects of the gas without realizing it. Because CO symptoms mimic the flu and other common illnesses, CO poisoning can be easily missed during a routine medical examination.
CO is produced when any fuel does not burn completely because of insufficient oxygen. Mild exposure to CO gives most people a slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue ("flu-like" symptoms) followed by a throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, and fast heart rate. If the entire family becomes ill after a few hours in the home, and feels better when they leave the home, carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected.
Possible sources of CO include:
Furnace or boiler
Gas or fuel-oil water heater
Gas or wood fireplace
Gas kitchen range
Plugged, rusted, disconnected, or defective chimneys or vents
Back drafting of combustion gases into the home
Automobiles in attached garages
Certain clues can indicate a carbon monoxide problem. Check to see if you have any of the following:
Rusting or streaking on chimney or vent
Loose or missing furnace panel
Soot on venting or appliances
Loose or disconnected venting
Debris or soot falling from chimney
Moisture on interior side of windows
CO can be produced and spill into your home without any of the preceding clues present. Heating appliances that appear to be operating correctly can still be sources of CO. Burning charcoal or wood produces CO that can spill into the home. Gasoline engines, when first started, produce large amounts of CO. Autos in attached garages are often sources of CO.
How To Protect Yourself
To avoid CO exposure in the home, it is important to:
Make sure heating appliances are installed and used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure chimneys and vents draw all gases out of the home.
Have the heating system, chimney and vents inspected and serviced annually by a qualified heating contractor.
Never use charcoal grills indoors.
Never heat your home with a gas kitchen range.
Always use a kitchen range hood, vented to the outdoors, when cooking on a gas range.
Never warm-up or run vehicles or other gasoline engines in garages or indoors.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every residence with fuel burning appliances be equipped with at least one CO alarm. For added protection, place one on every level of the home. Read and follow manufacturers' instructions.
If your alarm indicates high levels of carbon monoxide in your home:
Immediately move outdoors to fresh air and do a head count
Call your emergency services
Do not re-enter the home until emergency service responders have arrived, aired out the house, and determined it is safe to re-enter
Correct the problem before starting the heating appliances
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds again, repeat the above steps. Do not ignore alarms.
Fires are traumatizing and frightening, as is a carbon monoxide incident. It is essential to fully recognize the hazards of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning and to take preventative action. A regular home inspection, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and an emergency exit plan will help you and your family live more safely.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_newsletter.asp#gold_article1
Everyone wants to live in a safe and worry free environment with their families, spouse, and children. However, most people are closer to a disaster waiting to happen than they think. Safety may not be an issue that comes to mind as you go about your daily routine. You may feel safe. Yet, lurking in your home are dangers that can take lives and destroy property.
Fire Facts
Thousands of people die from fire every year. Most residential fire deaths occur because of inhalation of toxic gas, rather than contact with the flames. The tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented by taking a few precautions.
General Fire Prevention Tips
Do not plug too many appliances into an electrical outlet.
Make sure that combustibles are not too close to heaters, stoves and fireplaces.
Never smoke in bed, or leave a burning cigarette in an ashtray.
Do not use damaged or frayed electrical cords or extension cords.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Teach your children about the dangers of playing with fire.
Never use extension cords with heating or air conditioning equipment.
Purchase smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for each floor of your home.
Have an Emergency Escape Plan! Practice it frequently!
Develop an emergency exit plan and an alternate exit plan. The most obvious way out may be blocked by fire. A window will usually be the second way out of a bedroom. Make sure that screens or storm windows can be easily removed. If you live in a two story home, you should have an escape ladder for each occupied bedroom. Escape ladders are available for purchase, and they can easily be stored under a bed or in a closet.
Establish a meeting place outside your home to be sure everyone has escaped. Every family member should participate in practicing escape drills at least two times per year.
In the event of fire, do not stop to get dressed or gather valuables. Seconds count - do not search for the family pet.
Teach your family that in a fire they must stay low to the floor to avoid smoke and intense heat. Passageways may be completely filled with dense smoke, so everyone should practice exiting on their hands and knees while blindfolded.
Train family members to feel a closed door before exiting. If the door is warm, open it slowly, and close it quickly if heat or smoke rushes in.
Establish a rule that once you're out, you never re-enter under any circumstances. As soon as two people have reached the meeting place, one should call 911 from a neighbor's house.
Smoke Alarms
Through education and media campaigns, most people now realize the importance of smoke alarms, and most homes in North America have them.
Recommendations:
Purchase a smoke alarm for every floor of your home, and read the instructions on how to use it and where to position it.
Smoke alarms should be placed near bedrooms, either on the ceiling or six to twelve inches below the ceiling on the wall.
Local codes may require additional alarms. Check with your fire department or building code official.
Locate smoke alarms away from air vents.
Test your alarms regularly to ensure that they still work.
If you have a battery powered alarm, change the battery every six months when you change your clocks.
For maximum protection, install BOTH ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms in the home for the optimum detection of fast flaming fires and slow smoldering fires.
Fire Extinguishers
To guard against small fires or to keep a small fire from developing into a big one, every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher. Because almost all fires are small at first, they might be contained if a fire extinguisher is handy and used properly. You should take care, however, to select the right kind of fire extinguisher, because there are different ones for different kinds of fires. Install fire extinguishers on every level of the home and include the kitchen, basement and garage.
Selecting a Fire Extinguisher
Extinguishers are classified according to the class of fire for which they are suitable. The four classes of fires are A, B, C, D:
Class A fires involve common combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash and plastics. They are common in typical commercial and home settings.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids, solvents, oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers and other oil-based products. Class B fires often spread rapidly. Unless they are properly suppressed, they can re-flash after the flames have been extinguished.
Class C fires involve energized equipment such as wiring, controls, motors, machinery or appliances. They can be caused by a spark, a power surge, or a short circuit and typically occur in locations that may be difficult to see or reach.
Class D fires involve combustible metals.
A typical home or office fire extinguisher should have an ABC rating.
Carbon Monoxide
One of the greatest threats to your safety is the quality of air within your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a subtle yet dangerous threat because the gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless.
Each year, hundreds of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Thousands of other people suffer the effects of the gas without realizing it. Because CO symptoms mimic the flu and other common illnesses, CO poisoning can be easily missed during a routine medical examination.
CO is produced when any fuel does not burn completely because of insufficient oxygen. Mild exposure to CO gives most people a slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue ("flu-like" symptoms) followed by a throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, and fast heart rate. If the entire family becomes ill after a few hours in the home, and feels better when they leave the home, carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected.
Possible sources of CO include:
Furnace or boiler
Gas or fuel-oil water heater
Gas or wood fireplace
Gas kitchen range
Plugged, rusted, disconnected, or defective chimneys or vents
Back drafting of combustion gases into the home
Automobiles in attached garages
Certain clues can indicate a carbon monoxide problem. Check to see if you have any of the following:
Rusting or streaking on chimney or vent
Loose or missing furnace panel
Soot on venting or appliances
Loose or disconnected venting
Debris or soot falling from chimney
Moisture on interior side of windows
CO can be produced and spill into your home without any of the preceding clues present. Heating appliances that appear to be operating correctly can still be sources of CO. Burning charcoal or wood produces CO that can spill into the home. Gasoline engines, when first started, produce large amounts of CO. Autos in attached garages are often sources of CO.
How To Protect Yourself
To avoid CO exposure in the home, it is important to:
Make sure heating appliances are installed and used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure chimneys and vents draw all gases out of the home.
Have the heating system, chimney and vents inspected and serviced annually by a qualified heating contractor.
Never use charcoal grills indoors.
Never heat your home with a gas kitchen range.
Always use a kitchen range hood, vented to the outdoors, when cooking on a gas range.
Never warm-up or run vehicles or other gasoline engines in garages or indoors.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every residence with fuel burning appliances be equipped with at least one CO alarm. For added protection, place one on every level of the home. Read and follow manufacturers' instructions.
If your alarm indicates high levels of carbon monoxide in your home:
Immediately move outdoors to fresh air and do a head count
Call your emergency services
Do not re-enter the home until emergency service responders have arrived, aired out the house, and determined it is safe to re-enter
Correct the problem before starting the heating appliances
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds again, repeat the above steps. Do not ignore alarms.
Fires are traumatizing and frightening, as is a carbon monoxide incident. It is essential to fully recognize the hazards of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning and to take preventative action. A regular home inspection, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and an emergency exit plan will help you and your family live more safely.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_newsletter.asp#gold_article1
Tips On Energy Efficient Windows
Windows bring light, warmth, and beauty into buildings and give a feeling of openness and space to living areas. They can also be major sources of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. However, when properly selected and installed, windows can help minimize a home's heating, cooling, and lighting costs. This information describes one option-- energy-efficient windows--available for reducing a home's heating and cooling energy requirements.
Controlling Air Leaks
When air leaks around windows, energy is wasted. Energy is also transferred through the centers, edges, and frames of windows.
Eliminating or reducing these paths of heat flow can greatly improve the energy efficiency of windows and, ultimately, of homes. Several options are available to reduce air leaks around windows; the least expensive options are caulking and weather stripping, followed by replacing window frames.
Caulking and Weather Stripping
Caulks are airtight compounds (usually latex or silicone) that fill cracks and holes. Before applying new caulk, old caulk or paint residue remaining around a window should be removed using a putty knife, stiff brush, or special solvent. After old caulk is removed, new caulk can then be applied to all joints in the window frame and the joint between the frame and the wall. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius). Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture. Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface.
Weather stripping is a narrow piece of metal, vinyl, rubber, felt, or foam that seals the contact area between the fixed and movable sections of a window joint. It should be applied between the sash and the frame, but should not interfere with the operation of the window.
Replacing Window Frames
The type and quality of the window frame usually affect a window's air infiltration and heat loss characteristics. Many window frames are available--all with varying degrees of energy efficiency. Some of the more common window frames are fixed-pane, casement, double and single-hung, horizontal sliding, hopper, and awning.
When properly installed, fixed-pane windows are airtight and inexpensive and can be custom designed for a wide variety of applications. However, because they cannot be opened, fixed-pane windows are unsuitable in places where ventilation is required.
Casement, awning, and hopper windows with compression seals are moderately airtight and provide good ventilation when opened. Casement windows open sideways with hand cranks. Awning windows are similar to casement windows except that their hinges are located at the tops of the windows instead of at the sides. Hopper windows are inverted versions of awning windows with their hinges located at the bottom. Windows with compression seals allow about half as much air leakage as double-hung and horizontal sliding windows with sliding seals.
Double-hung windows have top and bottom sashes (the sliding sections of the window) and can be opened by pulling up the lower sashes or pulling down the upper sash. Although they are among the most popular type of window, double-hung windows can be inefficient because they are often leaky. Single-hung windows are somewhat better because only one sash moves. Horizontal sliding windows are like double-hung windows except that the sashes are located on the left and right edges rather than on the tops and bottoms. Horizontal sliding windows open on the side and are especially suitable for spaces that require a long, narrow view. These windows, however, usually provide minimal ventilation and, like double-hung windows, can be quite leaky.
Reducing Heat Loss and Condensation
Manufacturers usually represent the energy efficiency of windows in terms of their u-values (conductance of heat) or their r-values (resistance to heat flow). If a window's r- value is high, it will lose less heat than one with a lower r-value. Conversely, if a window's u-value is low, it will lose less heat than one with a higher u-value. In other words, u-values are the reciprocals of r-values (u-values = 1/r-value). Most window manufacturers use r-values in rating their windows.
The following five factors affect the R-Value of a window:
The type of glazing material (e.g., glass, plastic, treated glass)
The number of layers of glass
The size of the air space between the layers of glass
The thermal resistance of conductance of the frame and spacer materials
The "tightness" of the installation (i.e., air leaks-- see previous discussion).
Types of Glazing Materials
Traditionally, clear glass has been the primary material available for window panes in homes. However, in recent years, the market for glazing--or cutting and fitting window panes into frames--has changed significantly. Now several types of special glazing are available that can help control heat loss and condensation.
Low emissivity (low-e) glass has a special surface coating to reduce heat transfer back through the window. These coatings reflect from 40% to 70% of the heat that is normally transmitted through clear glass, while allowing the full amount of light to pass through.
Heat absorbing glass contains special tints that allow it to absorb as much as 45% of the incoming solar energy, reducing heat gain. Some of the absorbed heat, however, passes through the window by conduction and re-radiation.
Reflective glass has been coated with a reflective film and is useful in controlling solar heat gain during the summer. It also reduces the passage of light all year long, and, like heat absorbing glass, it reduces solar transmittance. Plastic glazing materials--acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyethylene--are also widely available. Plastics can be stronger, lighter, cheaper and easier to cut than glass. Some plastics also have higher solar transmittance than glass. However, plastics tend to be less durable and more susceptible to the effects of weather than glass.
Storm windows can increase the efficiency of single-pane windows, the least energy-efficient type of glazing. The simplest type of storm window is a plastic film taped to the inside of the window frame. These films are usually available in prepackaged kits. Although plastic films are easily installed and removed, they are easily damaged and may reduce visibility. Rigid or semi-rigid plastic sheets such as plexiglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or fiber-reinforced polyester can be fastened directly to the window frame or mounted in channels around the frame--usually on the outside of the building. These more durable materials are also available in kits.
Layers Of Glass and Air Spaces
Standard single-pane glass has very little insulating value (approximately r-1). It provides only a thin barrier to the outside and can account for considerable heat loss and gain. Traditionally, the approach to improve a window's energy efficiency has been to increase the number of glass panes in the unit, because multiple layers of glass increase the window's ability to resist heat flow.
Double-pane windows are usually more efficient than single- pane or storm windows. Double or triple-pane windows have insulating air or gas filled spaces between each pane. Each layer of glass and the air spaces resist heat flow. The width of the air spaces between the panes is important, because air spaces that are too wide (more than 5/8 inch or 1.6 centimeters) have lower r-values (i.e., they allow too much heat transfer). Advanced, multipane windows are now manufactured with inert gases (argon or krypton) in the spaces between the panes because these gases transfer less heat than does air. Multipane windows are considerably more expensive than single-pane windows and limit framing options because of their increased weight.
Frame and Spacer Materials
Window frames are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. Frames may be primarily composed of one material, or they may be a combination of different materials such as wood and vinyl. Each frame material has its advantages and disadvantages. Though ideal for customized window design, aluminum frames cause conductive heat loss (i.e., they have low r-values) and condensation. However, thermal breaks made of insulating plastic strips placed between the inside and outside of the frame and sash greatly improve the thermal resistance of aluminum frames.
Wood frames have higher r-values, are unaffected by temperature extremes, and are less prone to condensation, but they require considerable maintenance in the form of periodic painting. If wood frames are not properly protected from moisture, they can warp, crack, and stick.
Vinyl window frames, which are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (pvc), offer many advantages. They are available in a wide range of styles and shapes, have moderate to high r-values, are easily customized, are competitively priced, require low maintenance, and mold easily into almost any shape. But vinyl frames are not strong or rigid, which limits the weight of glass that can be used. In addition, vinyl frames can soften, warp, twist, and bow.
Fiberglass frames are relatively new and are not yet widely available. They have the highest r-values of all frames; thus, they are excellent for insulating and will not warp, shrink, swell, rot, or corrode. Fiberglass frames can be made in a variety of colors and can hold large expanses of glass. Some fiberglass frames are hollow; others are filled with fiberglass insulation.
Spacers are used to separate multiple panes of glass within the windows. Although metal (usually aluminum) spacers are commonly installed to separate glass in multipane windows, they conduct heat. During cold weather, the thermal resistance around the edge of a window is lower than that in the center; thus, heat can escape, and condensation can occur along the edges.
Many types of windows and window films are available that serve different purposes. To alleviate these problems, one manufacturer has developed a mulitipane window using a 1/8-inch-wide (0.32 centimeters- wide) PVC foam separator place along the edges of the frame. Like other multipane windows, these use metal spacers for support, but because the foam separator is secured on top of the spacer between the panes, heat loss and condensation are reduced. Several window manufacturers now sandwich foam separators, nylon spacers, and insulation materials such as polystyrene and rock wool between the glass inside their windows.
Additional Options For Reducing Heat Loss
Movable insulation, such as insulating shades, shutters, and drapes, can be applied on the inside of windows to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Shading devices, such as awnings, exterior shutters, or screens, can be used to reduce unwanted heat gain in the summer. In most cases, these window treatments are more cost effective than energy efficient window replacements and should be considered first.
Reducing heat loss or gain in homes often includes either improving existing windows or replacing them. Low cost options available for improvement are caulking, weather stripping, retrofit window films, and window treatments. Replacing windows will involve the purchase of new materials, which should adhere to certain energy efficiency standards. Different combinations of frame style, frame material, and glazing can yield very different results when weighing energy efficiency and cost. For example, a fixed-pane window is the most airtight and the least expensive; a window with a wood frame is likely to have less conductive heat loss than one with an aluminum frame; double-pane, low-e window units are just as efficient as triple-pane untreated window's, but cost and weigh less.
No one window is suitable for every application. Many types of windows and window films are available that serve different purposes. Moreover, you may discover that you need two types of windows for your home because of the directions that your windows face and your local climate. To make wise purchases, first examine your heating and cooling needs and prioritize desired features such as day lighting, solar heating, shading, ventilation, and aesthetic value.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_newsletter.asp#gold_article1
Controlling Air Leaks
When air leaks around windows, energy is wasted. Energy is also transferred through the centers, edges, and frames of windows.
Eliminating or reducing these paths of heat flow can greatly improve the energy efficiency of windows and, ultimately, of homes. Several options are available to reduce air leaks around windows; the least expensive options are caulking and weather stripping, followed by replacing window frames.
Caulking and Weather Stripping
Caulks are airtight compounds (usually latex or silicone) that fill cracks and holes. Before applying new caulk, old caulk or paint residue remaining around a window should be removed using a putty knife, stiff brush, or special solvent. After old caulk is removed, new caulk can then be applied to all joints in the window frame and the joint between the frame and the wall. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius). Low humidity is important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture. Warm temperatures are also necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface.
Weather stripping is a narrow piece of metal, vinyl, rubber, felt, or foam that seals the contact area between the fixed and movable sections of a window joint. It should be applied between the sash and the frame, but should not interfere with the operation of the window.
Replacing Window Frames
The type and quality of the window frame usually affect a window's air infiltration and heat loss characteristics. Many window frames are available--all with varying degrees of energy efficiency. Some of the more common window frames are fixed-pane, casement, double and single-hung, horizontal sliding, hopper, and awning.
When properly installed, fixed-pane windows are airtight and inexpensive and can be custom designed for a wide variety of applications. However, because they cannot be opened, fixed-pane windows are unsuitable in places where ventilation is required.
Casement, awning, and hopper windows with compression seals are moderately airtight and provide good ventilation when opened. Casement windows open sideways with hand cranks. Awning windows are similar to casement windows except that their hinges are located at the tops of the windows instead of at the sides. Hopper windows are inverted versions of awning windows with their hinges located at the bottom. Windows with compression seals allow about half as much air leakage as double-hung and horizontal sliding windows with sliding seals.
Double-hung windows have top and bottom sashes (the sliding sections of the window) and can be opened by pulling up the lower sashes or pulling down the upper sash. Although they are among the most popular type of window, double-hung windows can be inefficient because they are often leaky. Single-hung windows are somewhat better because only one sash moves. Horizontal sliding windows are like double-hung windows except that the sashes are located on the left and right edges rather than on the tops and bottoms. Horizontal sliding windows open on the side and are especially suitable for spaces that require a long, narrow view. These windows, however, usually provide minimal ventilation and, like double-hung windows, can be quite leaky.
Reducing Heat Loss and Condensation
Manufacturers usually represent the energy efficiency of windows in terms of their u-values (conductance of heat) or their r-values (resistance to heat flow). If a window's r- value is high, it will lose less heat than one with a lower r-value. Conversely, if a window's u-value is low, it will lose less heat than one with a higher u-value. In other words, u-values are the reciprocals of r-values (u-values = 1/r-value). Most window manufacturers use r-values in rating their windows.
The following five factors affect the R-Value of a window:
The type of glazing material (e.g., glass, plastic, treated glass)
The number of layers of glass
The size of the air space between the layers of glass
The thermal resistance of conductance of the frame and spacer materials
The "tightness" of the installation (i.e., air leaks-- see previous discussion).
Types of Glazing Materials
Traditionally, clear glass has been the primary material available for window panes in homes. However, in recent years, the market for glazing--or cutting and fitting window panes into frames--has changed significantly. Now several types of special glazing are available that can help control heat loss and condensation.
Low emissivity (low-e) glass has a special surface coating to reduce heat transfer back through the window. These coatings reflect from 40% to 70% of the heat that is normally transmitted through clear glass, while allowing the full amount of light to pass through.
Heat absorbing glass contains special tints that allow it to absorb as much as 45% of the incoming solar energy, reducing heat gain. Some of the absorbed heat, however, passes through the window by conduction and re-radiation.
Reflective glass has been coated with a reflective film and is useful in controlling solar heat gain during the summer. It also reduces the passage of light all year long, and, like heat absorbing glass, it reduces solar transmittance. Plastic glazing materials--acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinyl fluoride, and polyethylene--are also widely available. Plastics can be stronger, lighter, cheaper and easier to cut than glass. Some plastics also have higher solar transmittance than glass. However, plastics tend to be less durable and more susceptible to the effects of weather than glass.
Storm windows can increase the efficiency of single-pane windows, the least energy-efficient type of glazing. The simplest type of storm window is a plastic film taped to the inside of the window frame. These films are usually available in prepackaged kits. Although plastic films are easily installed and removed, they are easily damaged and may reduce visibility. Rigid or semi-rigid plastic sheets such as plexiglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or fiber-reinforced polyester can be fastened directly to the window frame or mounted in channels around the frame--usually on the outside of the building. These more durable materials are also available in kits.
Layers Of Glass and Air Spaces
Standard single-pane glass has very little insulating value (approximately r-1). It provides only a thin barrier to the outside and can account for considerable heat loss and gain. Traditionally, the approach to improve a window's energy efficiency has been to increase the number of glass panes in the unit, because multiple layers of glass increase the window's ability to resist heat flow.
Double-pane windows are usually more efficient than single- pane or storm windows. Double or triple-pane windows have insulating air or gas filled spaces between each pane. Each layer of glass and the air spaces resist heat flow. The width of the air spaces between the panes is important, because air spaces that are too wide (more than 5/8 inch or 1.6 centimeters) have lower r-values (i.e., they allow too much heat transfer). Advanced, multipane windows are now manufactured with inert gases (argon or krypton) in the spaces between the panes because these gases transfer less heat than does air. Multipane windows are considerably more expensive than single-pane windows and limit framing options because of their increased weight.
Frame and Spacer Materials
Window frames are available in a variety of materials including aluminum, wood, vinyl, and fiberglass. Frames may be primarily composed of one material, or they may be a combination of different materials such as wood and vinyl. Each frame material has its advantages and disadvantages. Though ideal for customized window design, aluminum frames cause conductive heat loss (i.e., they have low r-values) and condensation. However, thermal breaks made of insulating plastic strips placed between the inside and outside of the frame and sash greatly improve the thermal resistance of aluminum frames.
Wood frames have higher r-values, are unaffected by temperature extremes, and are less prone to condensation, but they require considerable maintenance in the form of periodic painting. If wood frames are not properly protected from moisture, they can warp, crack, and stick.
Vinyl window frames, which are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (pvc), offer many advantages. They are available in a wide range of styles and shapes, have moderate to high r-values, are easily customized, are competitively priced, require low maintenance, and mold easily into almost any shape. But vinyl frames are not strong or rigid, which limits the weight of glass that can be used. In addition, vinyl frames can soften, warp, twist, and bow.
Fiberglass frames are relatively new and are not yet widely available. They have the highest r-values of all frames; thus, they are excellent for insulating and will not warp, shrink, swell, rot, or corrode. Fiberglass frames can be made in a variety of colors and can hold large expanses of glass. Some fiberglass frames are hollow; others are filled with fiberglass insulation.
Spacers are used to separate multiple panes of glass within the windows. Although metal (usually aluminum) spacers are commonly installed to separate glass in multipane windows, they conduct heat. During cold weather, the thermal resistance around the edge of a window is lower than that in the center; thus, heat can escape, and condensation can occur along the edges.
Many types of windows and window films are available that serve different purposes. To alleviate these problems, one manufacturer has developed a mulitipane window using a 1/8-inch-wide (0.32 centimeters- wide) PVC foam separator place along the edges of the frame. Like other multipane windows, these use metal spacers for support, but because the foam separator is secured on top of the spacer between the panes, heat loss and condensation are reduced. Several window manufacturers now sandwich foam separators, nylon spacers, and insulation materials such as polystyrene and rock wool between the glass inside their windows.
Additional Options For Reducing Heat Loss
Movable insulation, such as insulating shades, shutters, and drapes, can be applied on the inside of windows to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Shading devices, such as awnings, exterior shutters, or screens, can be used to reduce unwanted heat gain in the summer. In most cases, these window treatments are more cost effective than energy efficient window replacements and should be considered first.
Reducing heat loss or gain in homes often includes either improving existing windows or replacing them. Low cost options available for improvement are caulking, weather stripping, retrofit window films, and window treatments. Replacing windows will involve the purchase of new materials, which should adhere to certain energy efficiency standards. Different combinations of frame style, frame material, and glazing can yield very different results when weighing energy efficiency and cost. For example, a fixed-pane window is the most airtight and the least expensive; a window with a wood frame is likely to have less conductive heat loss than one with an aluminum frame; double-pane, low-e window units are just as efficient as triple-pane untreated window's, but cost and weigh less.
No one window is suitable for every application. Many types of windows and window films are available that serve different purposes. Moreover, you may discover that you need two types of windows for your home because of the directions that your windows face and your local climate. To make wise purchases, first examine your heating and cooling needs and prioritize desired features such as day lighting, solar heating, shading, ventilation, and aesthetic value.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_newsletter.asp#gold_article1
How to Avoid 9 Common Buyer Traps BEFORE Buying a Home
Avoid Paying Too Much When Buying a Home
Buying a home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it's an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home to another buyer or, worse, buying the wrong home for their needs.
A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also buy the home that's best for you.
An industry report has just been released entitled "Nine Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them". This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.
Order this report NOW to learn how to avoid costly buyer mistakes before you purchase your next home.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyertraps.asp
Buying a home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it's an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home to another buyer or, worse, buying the wrong home for their needs.
A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also buy the home that's best for you.
An industry report has just been released entitled "Nine Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them". This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.
Order this report NOW to learn how to avoid costly buyer mistakes before you purchase your next home.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyertraps.asp
AVOID THE 6 BIG MISTAKES
Discover How to Avoid the 6 Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Make
A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when buying a home.
Mortgage regulations have changed significantly over the last few years, making your options wider than ever. Subtle changes in the way you approach mortgage shopping, and even small differences in the way you structure your mortgage, can cost or save you literally thousands of dollars and years of expense.
Whether you are about to buy your first home, or are planning to make a move to your next home, it is critical that you inform yourself about the factors involved.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "6 Things You Must Know Before You Buy".
Having the right information can make a major difference in this critical negotiation.
Order this report NOW to find out what you need to know to secure the best mortgage for your next move.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyer_mistakes.asp
A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when buying a home.
Mortgage regulations have changed significantly over the last few years, making your options wider than ever. Subtle changes in the way you approach mortgage shopping, and even small differences in the way you structure your mortgage, can cost or save you literally thousands of dollars and years of expense.
Whether you are about to buy your first home, or are planning to make a move to your next home, it is critical that you inform yourself about the factors involved.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "6 Things You Must Know Before You Buy".
Having the right information can make a major difference in this critical negotiation.
Order this report NOW to find out what you need to know to secure the best mortgage for your next move.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyer_mistakes.asp
STOP PAYING RENT
Don't Pay Another Cent in Rent to Your Landlord Before You Read This FREE Special Report
If you're like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn't feel like yours. How could it when you're not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle. You feel like you're stuck in the renter's rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home.
Well don't feel trapped any more! A new FREE Special Report entitled "How To Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home" has already helped dozens of local renters get out from under their landlord's finger, and move into a wonderful home they can truly call their own. You can make this move too by discovering the important steps detailed in this FREE Special Report.
It doesn't matter how long you've been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem. With the help of this report, it will become suddenly clear to you how you really can save for the down payment and stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/stop_renting.asp
If you're like most renters, you feel trapped within the walls of a house or apartment that doesn't feel like yours. How could it when you're not even permitted to bang in a nail or two without a hassle. You feel like you're stuck in the renter's rut with no way of rising up out of it and owning your own home.
Well don't feel trapped any more! A new FREE Special Report entitled "How To Stop Paying Rent and Own Your Own Home" has already helped dozens of local renters get out from under their landlord's finger, and move into a wonderful home they can truly call their own. You can make this move too by discovering the important steps detailed in this FREE Special Report.
It doesn't matter how long you've been renting, or how insurmountable your financial situation may seem. With the help of this report, it will become suddenly clear to you how you really can save for the down payment and stop wasting thousands of dollars on rent.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/stop_renting.asp
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to a Larger Home
A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when moving up to a larger home.
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Up to a Larger Home".
The information contained in this report will help you make informed choices before you put your home on the market in anticipation of moving to a larger home.
Order this report NOW and find out what you need to know to make your move up to a larger home worry-free and without complications.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/trade_up.asp
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Up to a Larger Home".
The information contained in this report will help you make informed choices before you put your home on the market in anticipation of moving to a larger home.
Order this report NOW and find out what you need to know to make your move up to a larger home worry-free and without complications.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/trade_up.asp
POWER VIP BUYER PROGRAM
You can become a VIP Buyer and Beat Other Buyers to Hot New Listings
How To Receive a Weekly Printout of ALL New Listings That Match Your Home Buying Criteria Mailed to You FREE of Charge Without Obligation
Here's how it works...
We mail you new listings (complete with pictures) of ALL MLS properties that match your home buying criteria.
So instead of having a realtor drag you from house to house wasting your time showing you many homes that don't interest you... Our exclusive Buyer Profile System allows you to pick which homes you want to view before other buyers even know about them. As a VIP buyer:
You get weekly updates of all new home listings that match your criteria FREE of charge. You get first pick of homes that interest you and the ability to beat other buyers to an offer.
Because you're there first, before most other buyers, we are able to negotiate the lowest possible price for you.
Most importantly your time isn't wasted viewing homes that don't interest you.
It's easy to get started...
Just fill out the form below and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form. You'll automatically become a VIP Buyer and start receiving your Buyer Profile right away.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/vip_buyer.asp
How To Receive a Weekly Printout of ALL New Listings That Match Your Home Buying Criteria Mailed to You FREE of Charge Without Obligation
Here's how it works...
We mail you new listings (complete with pictures) of ALL MLS properties that match your home buying criteria.
So instead of having a realtor drag you from house to house wasting your time showing you many homes that don't interest you... Our exclusive Buyer Profile System allows you to pick which homes you want to view before other buyers even know about them. As a VIP buyer:
You get weekly updates of all new home listings that match your criteria FREE of charge. You get first pick of homes that interest you and the ability to beat other buyers to an offer.
Because you're there first, before most other buyers, we are able to negotiate the lowest possible price for you.
Most importantly your time isn't wasted viewing homes that don't interest you.
It's easy to get started...
Just fill out the form below and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form. You'll automatically become a VIP Buyer and start receiving your Buyer Profile right away.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/vip_buyer.asp
How to Sell Your Home Without an Agent
Learn 10 Inside Secrets to Selling Your Home Yourself
If you've tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the "For Sale by Owner" sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren't from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing.
Like other "For Sale by Owners", you'll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can't possibly sell your home by yourself. After all, without the proper information, selling a home isn't easy. Perhaps you've had your home on the market for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up their dream of selling their home themselves.
But don't give up until you've read a new report entitled "Sell Your Own Home" which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You'll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process.
Inside this report, you'll find 10 inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You'll find out what real estate agents don't want you to know.
Order this report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/silver_fsbo.asp
If you've tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the "For Sale by Owner" sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren't from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing.
Like other "For Sale by Owners", you'll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can't possibly sell your home by yourself. After all, without the proper information, selling a home isn't easy. Perhaps you've had your home on the market for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up their dream of selling their home themselves.
But don't give up until you've read a new report entitled "Sell Your Own Home" which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You'll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process.
Inside this report, you'll find 10 inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You'll find out what real estate agents don't want you to know.
Order this report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/silver_fsbo.asp
COSTLY HOMESELLER MISTAKES
Which of These Costly Homeseller Mistakes Will You Make When You Sell Your Home?
A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.
This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their home and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their home on the market.
As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". This report clearly identifies potential trouble-spots, and lays out an easy-to-follow step-by-step system to help you get the most money for your home.
Order this report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/seller_mistakes.asp
A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.
This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their home and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their home on the market.
As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". This report clearly identifies potential trouble-spots, and lays out an easy-to-follow step-by-step system to help you get the most money for your home.
Order this report NOW to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/seller_mistakes.asp
INSPECTION TRAPS
11 High Cost Inspection Traps You Should Know About Weeks Before Listing Your Home For Sale
According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.
Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away altogether.
In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for. And knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.
To help homesellers deal with this issue before their home is listed, a FREE report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved.
Order this report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/inspection.asp
According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.
Whether you own an old home or a brand new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. If not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. That's why it's critical that you read this report before you list your home. If you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away altogether.
In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for. And knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.
To help homesellers deal with this issue before their home is listed, a FREE report entitled "11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection" has been compiled which explains the issues involved.
Order this report NOW to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn't cost you the sale of your home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/inspection.asp
Cash on your Home
We Will Buy Your Home For Cash!
We'll give you a guaranteed written offer on your home within 24 hours of your listing.
This written guarantee will give you the assurance that if your home doesn't sell within 120 days, we will buy it for your upfront guaranteed amount.
For more information on this exciting program please fill out the form below. Click the Submit button at the bottom of the form to send it.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/guarantee.asp
We'll give you a guaranteed written offer on your home within 24 hours of your listing.
This written guarantee will give you the assurance that if your home doesn't sell within 120 days, we will buy it for your upfront guaranteed amount.
For more information on this exciting program please fill out the form below. Click the Submit button at the bottom of the form to send it.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/guarantee.asp
SELL YOUR HOME FOR MORE
You Could Sell Your Home for $3,000 to $7,000 More
Consider the following facts:
FACT: Our homes average over $3,000.00 more
FACT: Your home will receive more exposure (We outspend all area reps to market our homes)
FACT: We are working with over 300 qualified buyers at any given time
FACT: We sell more homes in the region than entire companies that have dozens of real estate agents working for them
FACT: Nobody sells more homes in our area
For Example: If your home had a list price of $200,000 and we were to sell it for 2.01% more, the extra money you would receive would be $4,020.00 Right in your pocket!
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/sell_for_more.asp
Consider the following facts:
FACT: Our homes average over $3,000.00 more
FACT: Your home will receive more exposure (We outspend all area reps to market our homes)
FACT: We are working with over 300 qualified buyers at any given time
FACT: We sell more homes in the region than entire companies that have dozens of real estate agents working for them
FACT: Nobody sells more homes in our area
For Example: If your home had a list price of $200,000 and we were to sell it for 2.01% more, the extra money you would receive would be $4,020.00 Right in your pocket!
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/sell_for_more.asp
HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FAST
27 Quick & Easy Fix Ups to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar
Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision, you'll want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, here's a way to help you to be as prepared as possible.
To assist homesellers, a new industry report has just been released called "27 Valuable Tips That You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar." It tackles the important issues you need to know to make your home competitive in today's tough, aggressive marketplace.
Through these 27 tips, you will discover how to protect and capitalize on your most important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your situation, and make the most profit possible.
In this report you'll discover how to avoid financial disappointment or worse, a financial disaster when selling your home. Using a common-sense approach, you get the straight facts about what can make or break the sale of your home.
You owe it to yourself to learn how these important tips will give you the competitive edge to get your home sold fast and for the most amount of money.
Order your free report NOW.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/27tips.asp
Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision, you'll want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, here's a way to help you to be as prepared as possible.
To assist homesellers, a new industry report has just been released called "27 Valuable Tips That You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top Dollar." It tackles the important issues you need to know to make your home competitive in today's tough, aggressive marketplace.
Through these 27 tips, you will discover how to protect and capitalize on your most important investment, reduce stress, be in control of your situation, and make the most profit possible.
In this report you'll discover how to avoid financial disappointment or worse, a financial disaster when selling your home. Using a common-sense approach, you get the straight facts about what can make or break the sale of your home.
You owe it to yourself to learn how these important tips will give you the competitive edge to get your home sold fast and for the most amount of money.
Order your free report NOW.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/27tips.asp
WHATS YOUR HOME WORTH?
FREE Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation
Knowing what your home is worth is important information to have if you are thinking of selling your home.
Using the information you submit to us in the form below, we will conduct a thorough comparative market analysis by searching the database of all homes listed or sold in your area.
With this current market data, we will be able to determine what your home might sell for if you decided to put it on the market.
There is no cost or obligation for this valuable service.
For a FREE Home Evaluation, please fill in the information requested.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/homeeval.asp
Knowing what your home is worth is important information to have if you are thinking of selling your home.
Using the information you submit to us in the form below, we will conduct a thorough comparative market analysis by searching the database of all homes listed or sold in your area.
With this current market data, we will be able to determine what your home might sell for if you decided to put it on the market.
There is no cost or obligation for this valuable service.
For a FREE Home Evaluation, please fill in the information requested.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/homeeval.asp
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BEST RATES
Confidential Mortgage Application
Obtain the Best Rates & Lowest Closing Costs
When you are ready to purchase a home, it makes sense to negotiate from the strongest position possible. In a strong real estate market, sellers can be more selective in the final buyer they choose to negotiate with. In such a crazed seller's market, it's not uncommon for a home seller to receive multiple offers on their property. With that said; there are certain things you can do to make certain that your offer is the one Seller goes with.
The vast majority of Purchaser's today go about the process entirely wrong, putting themselves at an overwhelming disadvantage!
Let's look at this from the Sellers perspective for a moment. If you were the Seller and had multiple offers on your property, all things being equal, would you accept the one with Certificate of Financing Approval or the one that was still conditional on Financing? The answer is obvious. Why then, do so many buyers wait to start the financing until after they have found the home?
What I have found is that those buyers are usually very good, qualified buyers and are not worried about getting approved. Even though they usually are correct and will ultimately be Approved, the Seller in most cases has no guarantees.
Lastly, from a cost savings perspective...
As a prospective purchaser, it makes all the more sense to start the financing early on so you can get a firm handle on your interest rate and estimate of points and closing costs. If you do this before finding a home, you are not under any time constraints and are less likely to over pay like a buyer who has found a home and is under strict time constraints.
Should you decide that you wish to take advantage of Pre-Approval, simply complete the attached confidential mortgage application. We will locate the absolute best mortgage rate and lowest closing costs possible and process your application without any cost or obligation.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_mortgageapp.asp
Obtain the Best Rates & Lowest Closing Costs
When you are ready to purchase a home, it makes sense to negotiate from the strongest position possible. In a strong real estate market, sellers can be more selective in the final buyer they choose to negotiate with. In such a crazed seller's market, it's not uncommon for a home seller to receive multiple offers on their property. With that said; there are certain things you can do to make certain that your offer is the one Seller goes with.
The vast majority of Purchaser's today go about the process entirely wrong, putting themselves at an overwhelming disadvantage!
Let's look at this from the Sellers perspective for a moment. If you were the Seller and had multiple offers on your property, all things being equal, would you accept the one with Certificate of Financing Approval or the one that was still conditional on Financing? The answer is obvious. Why then, do so many buyers wait to start the financing until after they have found the home?
What I have found is that those buyers are usually very good, qualified buyers and are not worried about getting approved. Even though they usually are correct and will ultimately be Approved, the Seller in most cases has no guarantees.
Lastly, from a cost savings perspective...
As a prospective purchaser, it makes all the more sense to start the financing early on so you can get a firm handle on your interest rate and estimate of points and closing costs. If you do this before finding a home, you are not under any time constraints and are less likely to over pay like a buyer who has found a home and is under strict time constraints.
Should you decide that you wish to take advantage of Pre-Approval, simply complete the attached confidential mortgage application. We will locate the absolute best mortgage rate and lowest closing costs possible and process your application without any cost or obligation.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_mortgageapp.asp
SAVE THOUSANDS
Homebuyers: How to Save Thousands of Dollars When You Buy
If you're like most homebuyers, you have two primary considerations in mind when you start looking for a home. First, you want to find the home that perfectly meets your needs and desires, and secondly, you want to purchase this home for the lowest possible price.
When you analyse those successful home buyers who have the experience to purchase the home they want for thousands of dollars below a seller's asking price, some common denominators emerge. Negotiating skills are important, but there are three additional key factors that must come into play long before you ever submit an offer.
This topic has been the subject of extensive analysis by industry experts, and a summary of their findings, and a specific step-by-step purchase plan for homebuyers, can be found in a new special report called "Homebuyers: How to Save Thousands of Dollars When You Buy".
This FREE report outlines the psychology of how a seller sets their asking price, and gives you 3 simple steps to follow, before you even set foot in a seller's home, which will ensure you are able to successfully slash thousands of dollars off the price of the home you want.
Order this report NOW to find out how you can save thousands of dollars when you buy a home
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/savethousands.asp
If you're like most homebuyers, you have two primary considerations in mind when you start looking for a home. First, you want to find the home that perfectly meets your needs and desires, and secondly, you want to purchase this home for the lowest possible price.
When you analyse those successful home buyers who have the experience to purchase the home they want for thousands of dollars below a seller's asking price, some common denominators emerge. Negotiating skills are important, but there are three additional key factors that must come into play long before you ever submit an offer.
This topic has been the subject of extensive analysis by industry experts, and a summary of their findings, and a specific step-by-step purchase plan for homebuyers, can be found in a new special report called "Homebuyers: How to Save Thousands of Dollars When You Buy".
This FREE report outlines the psychology of how a seller sets their asking price, and gives you 3 simple steps to follow, before you even set foot in a seller's home, which will ensure you are able to successfully slash thousands of dollars off the price of the home you want.
Order this report NOW to find out how you can save thousands of dollars when you buy a home
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/savethousands.asp
DISTRESS SALES/BANK FORECLOSURES
Distress Sales/Bank Foreclosures
Distress Sales resulting from bank foreclosures often represent a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home. It's not easy for the average homeowner to find these deals, because you have to keep scouring the paper to see when one comes up.
If you're the type of person who recognizes what a great deal some of these properties could represent, you will be interested to know about a new free computerized service which automatically searches out and downloads a current list of all such properties day in and day out. When you receive this free, no obligation service, you're automatically plugged in to the most current list of Foreclosure Properties on the market, in the price range and area that interests you. This FREE service every week will save you a lot of research and running around.
Here's how it works. Every week, you will receive a FREE computerized report listing the current Foreclosure properties in your desired price range and location. There is no cost for this information, and absolutely no obligation. This insider information, sent to you in an incredibly simple and efficient format, will give you a huge advantage over other buyers in the marketplace.
You can request this free service by simply filling out the information on the form below including the specific price range and area you would like the "Foreclosure Weekly Report" on. When you have completed the form just click the "Submit" button at the bottom of this page.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_distress.asp
Distress Sales resulting from bank foreclosures often represent a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home. It's not easy for the average homeowner to find these deals, because you have to keep scouring the paper to see when one comes up.
If you're the type of person who recognizes what a great deal some of these properties could represent, you will be interested to know about a new free computerized service which automatically searches out and downloads a current list of all such properties day in and day out. When you receive this free, no obligation service, you're automatically plugged in to the most current list of Foreclosure Properties on the market, in the price range and area that interests you. This FREE service every week will save you a lot of research and running around.
Here's how it works. Every week, you will receive a FREE computerized report listing the current Foreclosure properties in your desired price range and location. There is no cost for this information, and absolutely no obligation. This insider information, sent to you in an incredibly simple and efficient format, will give you a huge advantage over other buyers in the marketplace.
You can request this free service by simply filling out the information on the form below including the specific price range and area you would like the "Foreclosure Weekly Report" on. When you have completed the form just click the "Submit" button at the bottom of this page.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/gold_distress.asp
COMMON BUYER TRAPS
How to Avoid 9 Common Buyer Traps BEFORE Buying a Home
Avoid Paying Too Much When Buying a Home
Buying a home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it's an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home to another buyer or, worse, buying the wrong home for their needs.
A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also buy the home that's best for you.
An industry report has just been released entitled "Nine Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them". This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.
Order this report NOW to learn how to avoid costly buyer mistakes before you purchase your next home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyertraps.asp
Avoid Paying Too Much When Buying a Home
Buying a home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it's an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either paying too much for the home they want, or losing their dream home to another buyer or, worse, buying the wrong home for their needs.
A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also buy the home that's best for you.
An industry report has just been released entitled "Nine Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them". This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.
Order this report NOW to learn how to avoid costly buyer mistakes before you purchase your next home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/buyertraps.asp
WHAT TO AVOID WHEN MOVING
6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to a Larger Home
A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when moving up to a larger home.
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Up to a Larger Home".
The information contained in this report will help you make informed choices before you put your home on the market in anticipation of moving to a larger home.
Order this report NOW and find out what you need to know to make your move up to a larger home worry-free and without complications.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/trade_up.asp
A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common and costly mistakes that homebuyers make when moving up to a larger home.
Unlike the experience of buying a first home, when you're looking to move-up, and already own a home, there are certain factors that can complicate the situation. It's very important for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale.
Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time in order to avoid either the financial burden of owning two homes or, just as bad, the dilemma of having no place to live during the gap between closings.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Up to a Larger Home".
The information contained in this report will help you make informed choices before you put your home on the market in anticipation of moving to a larger home.
Order this report NOW and find out what you need to know to make your move up to a larger home worry-free and without complications.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/trade_up.asp
NO MONEY DOWN
How to Buy A Home with Absolutely No Money Down...
A new home ownership program allows qualified buyers to buy a home with absolutely no downpayment.
You may have owned a home before and are presently renting or maybe you are a first time homebuyer and need a way to break into the housing market but held back because you thought you required a $10,000, $20,000 or even more for a downpayment. Well regardless of your present situation, if you want to get into, or re-enter the housing market without having to make a cash downpayment, then this new program may be just what you're looking for.
Why pay your landlord's mortgage when you can be building your own equity.
Industry insiders have prepared a new special report entitled, "How to Buy a Home With Zero Down", and reveals how this new and innovative program can get you into the housing market immediately and with absolutely no downpayment. Order this report NOW and you can get into the housing market NOW and with ABSOLUTELY NO DOWNPAYMENT
A new home ownership program allows qualified buyers to buy a home with absolutely no downpayment.
You may have owned a home before and are presently renting or maybe you are a first time homebuyer and need a way to break into the housing market but held back because you thought you required a $10,000, $20,000 or even more for a downpayment. Well regardless of your present situation, if you want to get into, or re-enter the housing market without having to make a cash downpayment, then this new program may be just what you're looking for.
Why pay your landlord's mortgage when you can be building your own equity.
Industry insiders have prepared a new special report entitled, "How to Buy a Home With Zero Down", and reveals how this new and innovative program can get you into the housing market immediately and with absolutely no downpayment. Order this report NOW and you can get into the housing market NOW and with ABSOLUTELY NO DOWNPAYMENT
Click on the link below for details.
DISCOVER INSIDER ACCESS
Discover Insider Access
Thank you for signing up for Insider Access.
Right now, you can take your first-step into Insider Access. Start exploring the real estate landscape, today, using our home listing satellite maps. Scan, plan and map your next move, simply by clicking the link below. We’re committed to unlocking the best-kept real-estate secrets and sharing the highest-quality reports and resources with you.
With Insider Access, you can instantly access our exclusive rich library of special reports and resources. Now, starting today,you can have real-time, unlimited access to up-to-date, reliable informationsources to meet all your unique investment needs. Insider Access will empower you with the knowledge to make solid, timely, profitable financial decisions.
Start discovering Insider Access today. Simply fill out the form below, and check your email account for a message with attached instructions. By following these easy steps, you’ll have instant Insider Access to our unique, exclusive collection of resources, reports and special features.
If you’re unable to access your email, you can enter an alternate e-mail account in the form below to gain instant access.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/insideraccess.asp
Thank you for signing up for Insider Access.
Right now, you can take your first-step into Insider Access. Start exploring the real estate landscape, today, using our home listing satellite maps. Scan, plan and map your next move, simply by clicking the link below. We’re committed to unlocking the best-kept real-estate secrets and sharing the highest-quality reports and resources with you.
With Insider Access, you can instantly access our exclusive rich library of special reports and resources. Now, starting today,you can have real-time, unlimited access to up-to-date, reliable informationsources to meet all your unique investment needs. Insider Access will empower you with the knowledge to make solid, timely, profitable financial decisions.
Start discovering Insider Access today. Simply fill out the form below, and check your email account for a message with attached instructions. By following these easy steps, you’ll have instant Insider Access to our unique, exclusive collection of resources, reports and special features.
If you’re unable to access your email, you can enter an alternate e-mail account in the form below to gain instant access.
www.powerrealtyteam.com/insideraccess.asp
POWER'S AUDIO TOUR SYSTEM
Guided Site Audio Tours
Buying or selling a home is one of the most important, complex and potentially costly decisions that you will ever make. Whether you are looking for a new dream home or trying to ensure that your current home will sell fast and for top dollar, our unique audio tours provide you with a quick and easy way to learn everything that you need to know to make these important decisions with confidence.
Each audio tour will guide you page by page through this website explaining the key concepts relevant to your situation.Each page on the tour has an audio control at the top right of the page, like the one on this page. If the audio doesn’t automatically start on each page, simply click on the PLAY button (or click on the speaker icon to turn on the auto-play option). When you are done listening and viewing each page on the tour, simply click on the NEXT link at the bottom right of the audio control to move on to the next page in the tour.
When you are ready, make sure that your computer speakers are turned on. Then select the link of the audio tour you wish to take.
If you already own a home and are looking to move to a new home, select this tour.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/vip_buyer.asp?_atid=1
If you are a first time home buyer, select this tour.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/vip_buyer.asp?_atid=2
If you are looking to sell, select this tour.
POWER Team Advantage
How To Get Your Agent to Work Twice as Hard....
Our Team of Professionals
The fact is, there isn't much more to the average agent than the agent themselves. Most agents operate a one-person show - and they're probably breaking their backs trying to do a good job for their clients. Most agents couldn't really work any harder than they're already working.
We know, because we used to do it this way.
But we don't anymore because we found that our client's suffered from our good intentions. The fact is, you may be sympathetic to the fact that your agent is working as hard as humanly possible, but if the quality and profitability of your home sale suffers as a result of them trying to do everything themselves . . . well,
. . .you have a right to feel cheated
The simple explanation is that we built a team of professionals to help us be in 10 places at once, and therefore greatly enhance the quality of service we can deliver to our clients. This is basically how other professionals like your banker or lawyer operate. And on top of this, we've used cutting edge technology to dramatically improve the speed, efficiency and innovative capabilities of every part of the service we deliver.
We don't expect you to care about the fine-details of the inner-workings of our office. What you should care about is simply this. Because of the highly unique way we've structured our real estate office . . .
Our client's homes sell for more money in less time!
And because our Team sells a lot of homes, we have extensive homeselling experience that puts more money in our client's pockets.
To find out more about how our team approach can make you more successful in the real estate market, simply click on the link below.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/team.asp
Our Team of Professionals
The fact is, there isn't much more to the average agent than the agent themselves. Most agents operate a one-person show - and they're probably breaking their backs trying to do a good job for their clients. Most agents couldn't really work any harder than they're already working.
We know, because we used to do it this way.
But we don't anymore because we found that our client's suffered from our good intentions. The fact is, you may be sympathetic to the fact that your agent is working as hard as humanly possible, but if the quality and profitability of your home sale suffers as a result of them trying to do everything themselves . . . well,
. . .you have a right to feel cheated
The simple explanation is that we built a team of professionals to help us be in 10 places at once, and therefore greatly enhance the quality of service we can deliver to our clients. This is basically how other professionals like your banker or lawyer operate. And on top of this, we've used cutting edge technology to dramatically improve the speed, efficiency and innovative capabilities of every part of the service we deliver.
We don't expect you to care about the fine-details of the inner-workings of our office. What you should care about is simply this. Because of the highly unique way we've structured our real estate office . . .
Our client's homes sell for more money in less time!
And because our Team sells a lot of homes, we have extensive homeselling experience that puts more money in our client's pockets.
To find out more about how our team approach can make you more successful in the real estate market, simply click on the link below.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/team.asp
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK AN AGENT
10 Questions You Must Ask When Interviewing an Agent
Warning! Do Not Hire Any Real Estate Agent Before You Read This FREE Special Report
Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need some good information before you make any moves.
Picking the right agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. There are very specific questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Many agents would prefer that you don't ask these questions, because the knowledge you'll gain from their honest answers will give you a very good idea about what outcome you can expect from using this agent. And let's face it - in real estate, as in life - not all things are created equal.
Hiring a real estate agent is just like any hiring process - with you on the bosses side of the desk. It's critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.
To help homeowners do a better job of choosing an agent to represent them, industry experts have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "10 Questions You Must Ask When Interviewing an Agent". This report identifies 10 critical questions that will help you make an accurate prediction of how good a job this agent will do for you.
Order this report NOW and find out the questions that agents would prefer you never ask!
Warning! Do Not Hire Any Real Estate Agent Before You Read This FREE Special Report
Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need some good information before you make any moves.
Picking the right agent is one of those critical issues that can cost or save you thousands of dollars. There are very specific questions you should be asking to ensure that you get the best representation for your needs. Many agents would prefer that you don't ask these questions, because the knowledge you'll gain from their honest answers will give you a very good idea about what outcome you can expect from using this agent. And let's face it - in real estate, as in life - not all things are created equal.
Hiring a real estate agent is just like any hiring process - with you on the bosses side of the desk. It's critical that you make the right decision about who will handle what is probably the single largest financial investment you will ever make.
To help homeowners do a better job of choosing an agent to represent them, industry experts have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "10 Questions You Must Ask When Interviewing an Agent". This report identifies 10 critical questions that will help you make an accurate prediction of how good a job this agent will do for you.
Order this report NOW and find out the questions that agents would prefer you never ask!
Costly Homeseller Mistakes
Which of These Costly Homeseller Mistakes Will You Make When You Sell Your Home?
A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.
This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their home and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their home on the market.
As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". This report clearly identifies potential trouble-spots, and lays out an easy-to-follow step-by-step system to help you get the most money for your home.
Order this report NOW by clicking on the link below to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/seller%20mistakes.asp
A new report has just been released which reveals 7 costly mistakes that most homeowners make when selling their home, and a 9 Step System that can help you sell your home fast and for the most amount of money.
This industry report shows clearly how the traditional ways of selling homes have become increasingly less and less effective in today's market. The fact of the matter is that fully three quarters of homesellers don't get what they want for their home and become disillusioned and - worse - financially disadvantaged when they put their home on the market.
As this report uncovers, most homesellers make 7 deadly mistakes that cost them literally thousands of dollars. The good news is that each and every one of these mistakes is entirely preventable.
In answer to this issue, industry insiders have prepared a FREE special report entitled "The 9 Step System to Get Your Home Sold Fast and For Top Dollar". This report clearly identifies potential trouble-spots, and lays out an easy-to-follow step-by-step system to help you get the most money for your home.
Order this report NOW by clicking on the link below to find out how you can get the most money for your home.
http://www.powerrealtyteam.com/seller%20mistakes.asp
POWER Realty Partners Niche Focus
POWER Realty Partners, is based in Alpharetta, with offices also located in Canton, North Georgia, Gwinnett and Grayton Beach, FL. POWER Realty Partners is committed to responsible growth within their city and surrounding areas… and they have demonstrated that commitment through almost a decade of community leadership. POWER Realty Partners has become one of the fastest growing traditional full service Real Estate firms in Georgia, and has accomplished growth by hand selecting “partners” that each specialize in a specific niche within the industry. Unlike most agencies, where everyone attempts to be an expert at everything and compete with each other for the business POWER agents are niche focused.
Their Founder, Kirk Driskell started in the real estate business in 1999 focusing on property that was located only along State Hwy 9 (Alpharetta Hwy). Kirk was able to obtain the market share of the business along Hwy 9 through his niche focus. It was not by chance that Kirk exercised such niche focus, because he had observed his Father (Ken Driskell) as he built a bank for business owners. The family Banking Business (First Colony Bank) was responsible for decades of growth in Alpharetta and the surrounding area. Ken set out to build a bank for business owners and that is who the bank attracted. POWER Realty Partners encourages each of their partners to identify what areas of the real estate market interest them. POWER Realty Partners continues to focus on continuing that growth, and our Partners are work together for the good of the company, the community, and the customers that we serve.
Power Realty Experiences Record Growth
While many Real Estate companies are closing POWER Realty continues to experience record growth. POWER Realty opened two new offices in 2007 and more than doubled their sales team. In December Power Realty experience yet another month of record growth to their sales team. Ryan Murray, Michelle Tucker, Jennifer Spivey, Missy Castleberry-Taylor, Maurice Coelho, Julie Elzey, Marshall Brooks, Marion Valone, Shauna Valdez, Shari Williams and Peter Meyers joined the Power Realty team.
POWER Realty Partners experienced team of professionals have many years of experience in real estate, banking, business development, sales and marketing we provide a comprehensive viewpoint that evaluates every facet of your investment.
POWER Realty Partners is a full service real estate brokerage company based in Alpharetta, Georgia at 200 South Main Street also having offices in Canton, North Georgia, Gwinnett and Grayton Beach, FL. The corporate phone number is 770-888-7653. POWER Realty was started in 2000 and employs approximately 90 agents.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)