Edmond Sees Increase in December Sales Tax Collection

Since pre-holiday shopping encourages major spending among consumers, it is no surprise that the City of Edmond will be collecting more sales tax revenue.  Edmond officials recently announced an increase in sales tax revenue by 3.25 percent, and although it’s not entirely credited to pre-holiday shopping, it exceeded expectations with significant growth compared to last year.

An 8.25 percent sales tax is paid by shoppers on each of their purchases with 4.5 percent going to the state and 3.75 percent to the city. There was a $4,439,437 increase in the city’s tax collection in December as compared to last year.  That is about a 19.97 percent increase since July, which amounts to $26,669,492.

Of that amount, 2 percent will go to the general fund for operations, amounting to a total of $2,736,018, which is an increase of $652,442, or 31.31 percent, as compared to last year. In addition, $4,102,999 has been collected from the new half-cent sales tax, which is going toward the public safety center.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

September Maintenance Checklist for Your Home

September marks the time of year when the air starts to cool and Fall nears. Kids have returned to school, and the days start getting shorter.  September is the time when we realize that summer is gone the change of seasons is just around the corner. It is also the perfect time to work on our homes and prepare them for the colder months ahead.

Home maintenance is very important as seasons and temperatures start to change. It is a good way to make sure that damages and repairs are addressed early, so that they are not exacerbated by harsh winter weather.  Below is a home maintenance checklist for the month of September.

• Start cleaning, repairing and repainting your home exterior. Take the time to clean the exterior of your home while the weather is nice outside. Also clean the gutters and roof to prevent unnecessary weight during snow and to avoid hindrances to drainage.  Repaint areas that have faded or chipped, but just be sure to do it on a day that it’s not raining.
• Service your heating system. Cold days will be here before you know it, and you want to be sure your heater functions properly when you are ready to use it.  Do a general check of your heating system, and if any repairs need to be made, have them done immediately.
• Add or replace weather stripping on your doors and windows. Check your doors and windows for possible gaps and cracks.  If you already have weather stripping on your doors and windows, check for missing or torn parts and replace them as soon as possible.
• Check your attic and home insulation. Make sure that your home insulation is working well and add more if needed. This will help you save energy and money during the colder months.
• Inspect your deck and re-stain if needed. Check for possible wood rot and other damage and add a new layer of water proofer to help protect it against winter moisture.  Do the same for wooden handrails and steps.
• Inspect your basement. Check to see if there are any cracks, holes or other damages that need repair.
• Stack wood. If you use wood for your fireplace, it is a good time to start collecting and storing if for the winter months.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Smart Landscaping for a Cooler Home This Summer

When hot summer weather arrives, the natural inclination is to turn up your air conditioning to keep it cool inside.  A home can become a sauna when heat gets trapped inside, and that is unbearable for everyone, but the problem is that your energy bills begin to soar.

Smart landscaping can actually be a practical and effective way to keep your house a little cooler, so you don’t have to crank your air conditioner up as high.  Trees and shrubs planted around your house will shield it from direct sunlight, thus maintaining the coolness inside your home. By having a cooler home, your air conditioner can run less frequently, which will help to reduce your energy bill.

To create your own smart landscaping at home, here are some useful tips:

• Windows and roofs absorb the heat of the sun, thus creating a hot atmosphere in your house.  Reduce the heat absorption of your windows and roof by making the areas around them more shady.  Plant trees and shrubs that thicken and grow tall.
• Plant trees with dense canopies and branches that go different direction. This will create full shade coverage for your house and minimize heat absorption.
• Avoid planting trees too close to your house or other structures on your property. Allow a little space for their roots to extend, so they do not crawl under your house, and cause potential damage to your foundation later.
• Prune the branches of your trees whenever they start getting to close to your roof or are in the way of good air circulation. Lower branches are often unnecessary, and you don’t want to have to duck when you are walking around your yard either.
• Reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner uses by planting trees or vines near it. Air conditioners consumes less energy if they are already in a cool environment. Be sure they are at least three feet from your air conditioning unit, though, to they do not block air flow.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Tips for Storing Breakables Inexpensively

Over time, as you look around your house, you notice that you begin to accumulate things.  Some of the things that seem to accumulate the most are extra cups, plates, and glasses that you buy on sale or purchase so you can be prepared for parties and unexpected guests.  Although you do need lots of dining essentials for large parties and holiday get-togethers, they can feel like clutter during your everyday life.  The space they take up is disproportionate to the frequency with which they’re used.

When you do not need your extra dining wear, the most practical way to keep them from taking up a ton of kitchen and storage space is to store them in a safe place that will protect them, yet allow them to be easily accessible in case you need them.

Below are some tips on how to store your home breakables effectively without spending a lot of money during the process:

• Use old newspapers to wrap your breakables. Make sure you have enough newspaper to cover the item entirely and provide a thick layer for added protection. Seal the papers with scotch tape or masking tape so they won’t fall apart easily.
• Store your kitchen breakables in a sturdy box. Store all similar items in one box, so you have a box for plates, a box for cups, etc. Just be sure that you choose a box that can support the weight.  Label the boxes so you can easily find something if you need it and make sure you seal everything well.
• Create a soft bed of padding before you begin packing the box. You can place used foam, thick bubble wrap, or several crumpled newspapers in the bottom to provide shock support for when boxes are moved.  Also, fill the top of the box after placing all your breakables, so they are protected in case the box falls or is stored sideways.
• Fill your cups, mugs, and glasses with crumpled paper as an added protection against breakage.
• Do not forget to label your boxes as FRAGILE. This will alert others to handle them with care in case you are not the one handling them.
• Avoid placing one box on top of another, as the weight of the other items on top can easily crush the items below. If space allows, avoid doing this.

 

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Simple Home Repair Tips to Save You Money

When large repairs are required at home, most people hire a professional because the required skills are usually beyond our expertise. However, when it comes to simple repairs at home, many homeowners opt to do the job themselves to save money by not having to pay a serviceman.

But, what about homeowners who may not have the slightest idea about how to perform home repairs? Do they just settle for paying a huge fee every time?  For these types of homeowner, many of them simply leave small repairs undone, so they do not have to deal with an out of pocket expense.  However, keep in mind that by doing so, small problems can gradually become bigger, resulting in a larger expense in the end.

To save money on simple home repairs, here are some useful tips you can follow:

• Ask your neighbors or family members if they are capable of doing the repairs. You can simply compensate them with a small check or do something in exchange like cook them dinner.  Oftentimes, however,  they will do the repairs for free.
• If you are new in the neighborhood, ask your neighbors for recommendations for a basic handyman that you can call for small repairs. Sometimes, there are freelance servicemen that work for a more affordable and negotiable rate.
• Try calling and asking for instructions from a professional you know instead of having them come over. That will help you avoid a service charge since you would be doing the work yourself.  Just be sure to follow their instructions, so the job is done correctly.
• Do not hesitate to ask servicemen for establish their exact fees upfront. Oftentimes, repair companies say that the cost of their repairs will depend on what the task requires along the way. This often leaves homeowners with an expensive surprise at the end, but at that point you unfortunately cannot doing anything about it.  So, avoid surprises by requiring a specific estimate for the repair up front. Give a detailed description of the damages to them, so they are provided with complete information up front as well.
• Hire a handyman service company. They will usually do multiple repairs for you in one visit, thus keeping the charge to only one service fee. Hiring an independent person for multiple jobs can result in doubled service fees.
• If you already have a specific person for one job, but they do not do another type of job that you need done, ask them for recommendations.  These people have more connections when it comes to home repair services, so they can lead you to quality, reputable servicemen.
• Learn how to do basic repairs yourself. This will save you a lot of money because you won’t have to hire someone every time there is a minor issue.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

How to Find a Good Contractor for Your Home

Home renovations are tough tasks, and even though we all try to cut costs where we can, sometimes doing it yourself is an impractical idea. Hiring a good contractor will not only save you the effort and time involved in doing the renovations yourself, but it will also end up saving you a lot of money because you’re eliminating the trial and error that can become quite costly.

Choosing the right contractor for your home, however, can be tricky. There are cases where contractors are really good, but also quite expensive. There are also instances where you can find a really low bid, but the results are subpar, and you end up spending more money to get it fixed. Therefore, there are several attributes you must look for in a contractor to guarantee you get your money’s worth.

Here are a few questions to ask when you are interviewing contractors for the job:

• Does he or she have a license? One major proof of expertise is a license. If your contractor has a license, then he or she is certified to work efficiently and at a high standard. When interviewing contractors, ask them if they are licensed, and if they are, also ask them to show you their license, so you can confirm they are telling the truth.
• Does he or she provide a written contract?  Any negotiations, however major or minor, must be reflected in a written contract in case issues or problems arise in the future.  This will demonstrate that both parties signed off on the agreement and therefore must abide by it.  It also serves as an important legal document should there be a conflict.
• Does he or she work for a certified and known company? If a contractor works for a reliable company, that can provide insight into the level of standards to which he or she is held.  However, keep in mind that not all good contractors work for a company.  Many work independently.  If that is the case, just be sure that they are certified / licensed.
• Does he or she have any experience doing your particular type of job?  If so, can he or she provide references?  Having experiences is a very important factor for determining if the contractor can actually deliver the renovation you want. Also, ask if they can show you the current project that they are working on.
• Is he or she amiable enough to work well with you?  Bear in mind that your contractor will be working and communicating with you very regularly. Choose a person you feel comfortable around and with whom you feel you can communicate easily.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

How to Organize Your Coat Closet

Warmer weather may be only a few months away, but during these winter months, it’s important to be sure your coat closet is neat and organized.  Organizing your coat closet is as important as organizing your clothes closet. Yes, you may only need your coat for a portion of the year, but there are many other things that you store in your coat closet, and it’s good to be able to access them easily.  So, instead of throwing things haphazardly about, save the valuable time you would spend searching for your coat, umbrella, or scarf and organize your coat closet now.

Here are a few tips to get you started…

• Divide and conquer.  Whether your coat closet is large or small, you can maximize its space by creating and defining compartments to accommodate smaller things like your mittens and scarves. Use wooden dividers or bins to create distinctive areas, so you can arrange and sort everything.
• Leave the floor to your shoes.  Don’t place other items on the floor because that is the one space that is suitable for shoes.  Keep the floor area open and available for shoes, so they don’t end up being scattered about the house.
• Sort by season. Not everything in your coat closet is useful for every season.  You may need easy access to your heavy coat during the winter, but in the warmer months it can easily get in the way when you’re looking for lighter jackets and shawls.  Reorganize your coats seasonally, so that the most appropriate items are at the forefront when you need them most.
• Make use of hooks. Install hooks on the inside of your closet door, so you can hang frequently used coats or hats. It’s even a perfect place to hang your handbag, so you can easily reach for it before you leave the house.
• Have an umbrella rack or bin. If there is space on your floor, position an umbrella rack or small bin in that area to keep your umbrellas organized in one spot, so you’ll know where to find them on those rainy days.
• Invest in a number of hangers to keep exclusively inside your coat closet. If you’re going to organize your coat closet, you need to be sure you can actually hang your coats!  Designating hangers for the coat closet will prevent them from being “stolen” to hang other clothes, and it will also save space versus if you folded your coats.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Mistakes To Avoid During Home Renovations

Home renovation ha its own ups and downs. Often, when we visualize what we want, it does not come out the way we want it to, due to other inevitable factors like safety, aesthetics and convenience. In addition, there are times when we simply want to realize whatever we want for our house without actually considering the house itself.

So for you to avoid unwanted mishaps during home renovation, here are several mistakes to keep in mind to avoid.

• DIY everything

You may ask, “Is DIY not good then?” Of course it is! DIY is actually great since it is not only practical but enables you to personalize your house. But, be realistic! Not all aspects of home renovation can be done by you. There are tasks that you cannot do alone or- even if a friend helps you- you still cannot achieve the results you want. If you cannot do it, don’t push it. Get a specialist to do it. It will save you the cost of not doing the job again and sometimes much safer for your house.

• Renovating your home to something it is not

It does not mean that when a glass door works for your neighbor’s house, it will also work for your house. Do not try to incorporate things that will not go well in your house or will deviate from the essence of your house.

• Planning your budget less than what it should be

Home renovations, in any manner, can be very expensive. So, it is best to plan your budget much higher than anticipated cost. This will make room for some price adjustments or other accidental repairs needed during the renovation. If you have a smaller budget, expect that the overall result will more or less be more than 50% of the projected outcome.

• Buying the cheapest material

Yes, you are on tight budget. But, it is still not a good reason to skimp. Often, buying cheaper material will make room for more repairs in the future, which will accumulate much higher expense than buying an expensive but longer lasting material.

• Working on the projects one-by-one without taking advantage of projects to work on another

When we do home renovations, we usually break, tear or destroy something. This will expose you to more aspects in the house that needs repair. For example, if you plan to change the backsplash of your kitchen wall, it is also time to inspect the wires and tubes exposed by an open wall to make sure everything is still operating well.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

Save Energy In Laundry

We want to save energy at every possible point around the house. And this does not exclude the laundry room.

Your laundry room is considered as one of the largest energy consumer in the house. But, there are several ways on how you can save energy in your laundry room. Here are a few tips:

• Replace your laundry appliances with energy saving machines. There are a lot of machines these days that are assured energy efficient. Although you have to invest on these machines, in the long run, you will be able to cut more energy.
• Often, we use hot water to wash our clothes especially those that are heavily soiled. However, large amounts of energy are consumed whenever you need to heat the water. Save your energy by avoiding the use of hot water and instead use cold water where possible – some detergents are now made specifically to work with cold water. Clothes that are slightly soiled and only needs a mild washing will still be effectively cleaned with cold water.
• Wash in full loads rather than washing in partial loads. The energy you are consuming in washing partial loads is similar to washing full loads but you get fewer clean clothes as a result.
• Reduce the use of a dryer. If you can air dry your clothes, do it. This will also reduce the easy wear of your clothes as the dryer fades your clothing.
• If you want to use the dryer, make sure to separate the light clothes from the heavy clothes. Lighter clothes are much faster to dry. If you combined light clothes with heavy clothing, then expect that even for a longer span of time in drying, your light clothes will not quickly dry.
• Clean the lint filter and exhaust before use. This will maximize the efficiency of your dryer as it will keep the air circulation in an improved level as well as preventing overheating. Moreover, if the air circulation is less efficient, it will require your dryer to work harder and longer which means more energy will be required to work.
• Save energy from ironing. This is possible if you remove the clothes and hang or fold them quickly after drying.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com

The First Things You Should Do After Buying Your House

Now that you have bought your new house, there are certain things you need to do first so you incur more cost with future home improvement expenses. This is to make sure that everything is set properly prior to your peace of mind in your new house.

Change your lock and key. Whether you have a brand new house or a home with a previous occupant, you need to change your lock and key to a brand new set. This will avoid worrying about previous residents easily accessing the property since they may have the duplicate keys on hand.

Check for damages. If you have already had a home inspection before, check again if there are places that inspections may have overlooked. If you find such damages, you can have your homeowners insurance to cover it. If the damage found is extensive, you may be able to negotiate with the previous owners on the cost of necessary repairs – though try to find these things before you purchase the home. Once the home has been sold, the seller may not be as gracious in negotiating home repairs.

Have your water system checked. If everything goes well and you only minimal problems (perhaps a leaky faucet), have it fixed right away. If damage is more severe, have it replaced by a professional. A properly functional water system will save you a lot of trouble as well as energy cost.

Cover the cracks – or better yet have it fixed. Cracks may be found in some parts of the house. Remember, most of the cracks are found within the foundation of the house so if these problems persist, you will be facing a major foundation dilemma in the future. Avoid such headache by fixing it immediately. To monitor the cracks, you can tape it and measure its length. Record it along with the date and after several months, see if it has grown longer or wider. Fix these immediately!

Inspect your air filter. Check the filter not only on your air-conditioning and heating units but also if you have a furnace, replace if necessary. This also helps out if you have any indoor allergies.

Check the house’s electrical. This will ensure that electrical wirings are properly set and not left with open wires at detrimental conditions. Also, have a professional to check the entire electrical system as they can provide you with advise on how to avoid fire in the future.

Heather & Alan Davis
Oklahoma City Realtors
http://www.alanandheatherdavis.com