Simple tips for making your home more energy efficient

You might assume that making your home energy efficient requires a lot of time and money, but generally that’s not the case. Often small fixes can have a big impact on your heating, cooling, and other utility bills. Here are some easy things you can do to make your home more efficient right now: Tip #1: Don’t turn that dial Keep your thermostat set at one temperature and leave it! In the winter around 68 degrees should be right, and 75 degrees in summer (in homes with a cooling system, of course). Avoiding constant adjustments will keep your energy bills stable. Tip #2: Stop the drip-drips Leaky showerheads and faucets are hard-to-miss energy wasters. Toilets that run can also cost you on your water bill. The majority of required repairs are covered in the most basic do-it-yourself handbook. Tip #3: Go fluorescent While compact fluorescent light bulbs cost more than the standard incandescent bulbs that you’re used to, they last up to five times longer and use only a quarter of the electricity. Many of these bulbs last over five years, and each energy-saving fluorescent bulb will save you $40 to $60 on your electric bill over the course of its lifetime. Tip #4: Watch that fireplace Energy can really leak out of that fireplace. Check the dampers and screens to make sure that energy isn’t leaking when the fireplace is not in use. If the fireplace is just for decoration, cover the chimney. A well maintained fireplace should be an economical way to heat your house and add a warm atmosphere as well. Tip #5: Keep those appliances humming Clean air conditioning and furnace filters frequently, and have your appliances inspected once a year. Efficient appliances lower energy bills and future repair costs. Tip #6: Windows that waste Windows are the most common energy waster. Make sure that all the weather-stripping is in good condition, and consider double-paned windows and storm shutters to reduce the energy drain. Hopefully these ideas help you create a more energy efficient home. Energy efficiency is not only an important part of conservation; it’s also a great way to save money. More homeowners tips are available on my website. If you have any questions about your home, I’m only a phone call away.

Nancy David, ASR, CNE, AHS
Professional Realtor®
RE/MAX Associates Northeast II
Phone: 281-812-6748
eMail: nancy@NancyDavidRealtor.com
www.NancyDavidRealtor.com

RE/MAX Associates Northeast
18700 W Lake Houston Parkway
Humble, TX 77346
Each office independently owned and operated.

Nancy David with RE/MAX Associates Northeast is your real estate professional specializing in Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Summerwood and the entire northeast Houston area.  If you are considering buying or selling a home please give me a call to get the highest level of professional service … and that’s The Way Real Estate Should Be.

Be sure to bookmark my web site at www.NancyDavidRealtor.com for your ultimate real estate resource on the Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble areas.  On my site you can search the MLS to find the perfect home, get information about new home builders, research the area and get information and view photos of the various communities, get the latest real estate news, and view many helpful items and tools regarding buying or selling a home.

Why Buy Instead of Rent?

When you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s essential for you to be confident in your decision to buy instead of rent. However, you may not know about the many great reasons to buy a home! Here are just a few of them: Smart Investment When you invest in a home, it offers the possibility for appreciation in value. The equity becomes yours when you’re still paying off your mortgage. You even get to live in it while your investment matures. Tax Advantages Since both mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible, home ownership can save you significant amounts of money every year. Planned Housing Cost You decide how much you spend on your home, including repairs and improvements. Unlike renters, homeowners with a fixed-rate loan can lock in their monthly housing costs. Improvements to Your Taste You can choose which improvements to make to your own property, such as a deck, kitchen remodel, or new paint, instead of needing permission from your landlord. If you have more questions about making a decision to buy a home,please feel free to call or email.  Nancy David, ASR, CNE, AHS Professional Realtor® RE/MAX Associates Northeast II Phone: 281-812-6748 eMail: nancy@NancyDavidRealtor.com www.NancyDavidRealtor.com RE/MAX Associates Northeast 18700 W Lake Houston Parkway Humble, TX 77346 Each office independently owned and operated. Nancy David with RE/MAX Associates Northeast is your real estate professional specializing in Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Summerwood and the entire northeast Houston area.  If you are considering buying or selling a home please give me a call to get the highest level of professional service … and that’s The Way Real Estate Should Be. Be sure to bookmark my web site at www.NancyDavidRealtor.com for your ultimate real estate resource on the Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble areas.  On my site you can search the MLS to find the perfect home, get information about new home builders, research the area and get information and view photos of the various communities, get the latest real estate news, and view many helpful items and tools regarding buying or selling a home.

Considering Making A Move?

When you’re thinking about making a move, the first steps in the home buying process
are:

1. Deciding when you want to make your move
2. Considering how much money you would like to spend
3. Thinking about what type of home you would like
4. Deciding where you would like to live

The next step is usually finding out how much loan you can qualify for and deciding
the type of financing will work best for you.

If you’re in the “thinking about it” stage, you will want to speak with a lender
about receiving pre-qualification. If you choose to become pre-qualified, the lender
will determine how much you can borrow based on financial information you provide
to the lender. Pre-qualification is useful for making preliminary decisions about
how much home you can afford, but does not assess your credit worthiness.

You will need to fill out a loan application and go through the lender’s loan approval
process at a later date. When you decide to buy a home, you will want to become
pre-approved for a loan prior to beginning your home search.

Please don’t hesitate to call or email me for additional information about the buying
process. My goal is to provide you with practical information as you consider your
next move. And, when you’re ready to make your move, I’ll help you find your dream
home and handle all the details of the transaction, so all you need to do is pack.

Nancy David, ASR, CNE, AHS
Professional Realtor®
RE/MAX Associates Northeast II
Phone: 281-812-6748
eMail: nancy@NancyDavidRealtor.com
www.NancyDavidRealtor.com

RE/MAX Associates Northeast
18700 W Lake Houston Parkway
Humble, TX 77346
Each office independently owned and operated.

Nancy David with RE/MAX Associates Northeast is your real estate professional specializing in Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Summerwood and the entire northeast Houston area.  If you are considering buying or selling a home please give me a call to get the highest level of professional service … and that’s The Way Real Estate Should Be.

Be sure to bookmark my web site at www.NancyDavidRealtor.com for your ultimate real estate resource on the Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble areas.  On my site you can search the MLS to find the perfect home, get information about new home builders, research the area and get information and view photos of the various communities, get the latest real estate news, and view many helpful items and tools regarding buying or selling a home.

First time real estate investor?

Investing in real estate for the first time can be a daunting proposition. Even if you’ve been through the home buying process before, you may be unsure of where to begin. To make matters worse, you may be in competition with sophisticated real estate investors.

Having a real estate professional on your side can help. An expert can get you started and guide you throughout the process. I can provide you with information and advice on topics such as:

• – Tips for starting out
• – Investing in Foreclosures
• – Fixer-Uppers
• – Condos as Investments
• – Vacation Homes

Investing in real estate is potentially lucrative and frequently complicated. Don’t take that first step alone. If you’d like to talk about ways that I can be of assistance to you, please call. I’d love to hear from you.

Nancy David, ASR, CNE, AHS
Professional Realtor®
RE/MAX Associates Northeast II
Phone: 281-812-6748
eMail: nancy@NancyDavidRealtor.com
www.NancyDavidRealtor.com

RE/MAX Associates Northeast
18700 W Lake Houston Parkway
Humble, TX 77346
Each office independently owned and operated.

Nancy David with RE/MAX Associates Northeast is your real estate professional specializing in Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Summerwood and the entire northeast Houston area.  If you are considering buying or selling a home please give me a call to get the highest level of professional service … and that’s The Way Real Estate Should Be.

Be sure to bookmark my web site at www.NancyDavidRealtor.com for your ultimate real estate resource on the Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble areas.  On my site you can search the MLS to find the perfect home, get information about new home builders, research the area and get information and view photos of the various communities, get the latest real estate news, and view many helpful items and tools regarding buying or selling a home.

Tips for First Time Buyers

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful: Tip #1: Do Your Homework The perfect home won’t find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home. Tip #2: Start Planning Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying is certainly no exception. Start a filing system with sections such as home buying, home financing, and service providers. By forming a home buying plan you can more easily focus on the most important factors and help give structure to the entire process. My website is a great resource for property information. Tip #3: Get PreQualified Getting prequalified for a loan normally only requires a short phone conversation with a lender, and can greatly help your home search. Prequalification does not guarantee you a loan, but it does provide you with an estimated monthly payment and a price range to use as a guide when shopping for homes. Being prequalified can also often indicate to sellers that you are a serious, prepared buyer. Tip #4: Look for Value When shopping for homes, it’s important to consider potential value. Even if you’re not planning to sell the home some time down the line, it’s a good idea to consider the future value of the home. Protect yourself against things like falling prices and gradual shifts in the nature of the neighborhood. You may not think of a new home as a means to make money, but it’s an important investment that requires caution. Tip #5: Decide What You’re Looking For Settle on the home features that are important to you (covered parking, hardwood floors, architectural style, etc.) and make an ordered list. Having well established guidelines will help narrow down your search and will prevent you from being shown properties that lack your key amenities. It can help you make the decision not to buy an attractive property that doesn’t really fit your needs. My website has a search feature that allows you to filter thousands of listings based on attributes that you select. If you know you want a brick house with gas heat and a garage, you can get the results you’re looking for. Tip #6: Relax You don’t have to make an offer on the first home you see. Make sure to look at other listings in the area to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide to make an offer on a house, consult with your real estate professional so that all of your questions are answered. Tip #7: Shop Around for Your Mortgage Deciding on the financing for your home can be as important as choosing a home itself. The first step is deciding what kind of loan best fits you: a fixed rate mortgage, or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). There are benefits to each form of loan, and your real estate professional can provide you with more information. Next you’ll want to begin to shop around for different lenders. Tip #8: Protect Yourself Be careful when signing a contract on a home that allows you to find financing, have the home inspected, and work through any problem areas that may arise. Paying for a quality home inspection is absolutely crucial! You can save yourself thousands in repair costs by being sure of what you’re getting into. More information for first time buyers can be found on my website, or by giving me a call. I’m confident that I can provide the kind of exceptional service that will make this process an exciting one. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have, I would love to be of assistance to you. Nancy David, ASR, CNE, AHS Professional Realtor® RE/MAX Associates Northeast II Phone: 281-812-6748 eMail: nancy@NancyDavidRealtor.com www.NancyDavidRealtor.com RE/MAX Associates Northeast 18700 W Lake Houston Parkway Humble, TX 77346 Each office independently owned and operated. Nancy David with RE/MAX Associates Northeast is your real estate professional specializing in Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Summerwood and the entire northeast Houston area.  If you are considering buying or selling a home please give me a call to get the highest level of professional service … and that’s The Way Real Estate Should Be. Be sure to bookmark my web site at www.NancyDavidRealtor.com for your ultimate real estate resource on the Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble areas.  On my site you can search the MLS to find the perfect home, get information about new home builders, research the area and get information and view photos of the various communities, get the latest real estate news, and view many helpful items and tools regarding buying or selling a home.