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DIY Steps to Finding Air Leaks in Your House

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

by Sandi Pressley

Is your home in Albuquerque ready for the colder months ahead? If your home gets cold in the winter, it could be because heat is escaping through air leaks. Air leaks can be hard to find both inside and outside your home.

How can you find these hidden air leaks?

Use Air Leak Detectors

Sure, you may be able to feel air leaks with your hand, but there are better ways to 'see' the air leaks. A smoke pencil is a tool you can use to find air leaks by sending a thin stream of smoke or fog toward the window. Then you can see where the air is going.

Then you can check the outside of your home for leaks by checking the foundation for cracks and gaps. Also check electrical outlets and water faucets.

Do Your Own Energy Audit

Sure, you can hire a pro to do an energy audit. But if you want to do it yourself, Energy.gov has a great home audit checklist. This will give you an idea of where your home is and should be on the energy efficiency scale.

If you prefer that a professional audit your home, look at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for policies and initiatives that can help save you money when it comes to making your home more energy efficient.

Add Weatherstripping and Spray Insulation

You can also plug and caulk around electrical outlets, windows, and doors using caulk and weatherstripping. Outside, use spray foam insulation to fill holes. Replace window glazing to keep the seal tight.

Fixing air leaks will make your home more energy efficient. You'll feel warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and, perhaps best of all, you'll save on monthly utility bills.

Looking to sell your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and local Albuquerque news and events. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 $350,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2828 Square Feet

NEW ROOF! (2018) NEWER CARPET & PAINT! (2017) Single story 4BDR/3BA/2G with TWO LIVING AREAS, formal dining, oversized eat-in kitchen plus sunroom! .25 ACRE LOT! REFRIGERATED AIR! Skylights! Wet bar and wood burning fireplace in the oversized family room! Large secondary bedrooms, walk-in closets! Master bath has updated wood tile flooring, double sink vanity and sep vanity! Spacious eat-in kitchen features lots of cabinets, newer oven and dishwasher (2017 & 2018). Beautifully landscaped yard with mature trees, grass and shrubs! Conveniently located in Academy Estates neighborhood, close to shopping, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Alb Academy, parks, schools & restaurants! Sandia High School district.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details!

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Home Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Thursday, August 22, 2019

by Sandi Pressley

The way your home exterior looks makes a huge difference when you sell it. First impressions can make or break a sale.

Here are some home maintenance mistakes to avoid to keep your home looking fresh.

Stop Using the Pressure Washer at Full Force

When you pressure wash your home, the goal is to remove the dirt, not the paint. You can do this without setting the pressure washer to full force. If you don't, you could end up making your home look worse by damaging the paint or wood, along with forcing the water under the siding where it can cause rot.

Instead, turn the spray as low as it can go to still get the job done. Then angle the washer down, and clean with gentle, side-to-side motions.

Stop Putting Mulch Against the House

Lining your home with mulch may look great, but it can increase the risk of bugs and mold. Instead, you can keep that great look by placing a layer of brick or stone between your house and the mulch.

Stop Storing Produce on the Counter

There's nothing more appetizing than bowls full of garden-fresh goods on the counter. But it comes at a price: bugs.

While fruit flies are annoying, ants and roaches are full-on worrisome once they're in your home. And they are TOUGH to get rid of. Refrigerate all the produce you can — and if you must keep it out to ripen, pop it in the fridge as soon as it peaks.

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

326 Atrisco Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 $189,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 0 half) / 1570 Square Feet

Check out this incredible opportunity! Precious 2 BR Adobe with separate Casita! Lovingly restored, the main house boasts wood floors, newer water heater, newer metal roof and refrigerated air. With beautiful landscaping surrounding, the separate casita has a kitchen, full bath & combo sleeping/living area. This oversized lot - greater than a 1/2 acre - also boasts irrigiation from the Atrisco Ditch and great open space!! Both the main house & casita have a solid Air BnB rental history. Don't miss this one!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details!

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Planning to Deal With Unexpected Home Repairs

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

by Sandi Pressley

Owning a home in Albuquerque can bring some anxiety when it comes to dealing with unexpected repairs. According to a recent report, most homeowners say that home repairs and maintenance top the list of worries when it comes to owning a home.

According to Holden Lewis, NerdWallet’s home analyst, “When you buy a home, you take a leap into the unknown. So it’s no wonder that homeowners say they’re anxious in our survey. Don’t spend your last dime on the down payment. Instead, set aside a few thousand dollars to take care of unexpected maintenance and repairs. Having an emergency stash will help you sleep better.”

You certainly can't plan for every contingency, but there are a few ways to reduce the stress of unexpected home repairs. Here's a few tips that can help.

Regular Maintenance

One sure way to reduce the chances of major repairs in the future is regular maintenance. If you fix small problems right away, like a leaky pipe, it can prevent having to make more major repairs that could cost thousands of dollars. An annual maintenance budget that is around 2% of your home's value is an ideal goal. This budget could cover small repairs and regular servicing of HVAC and cleaning gutters and your chimney. Basically, anything you can do to prevent accidents and problems is money well spent.

Save For Emergencies

Your parents probably taught you to save for a rainy day, and when it comes to owning a home, there can be some very raining days. Saving for unexpected damage from weather or other emergency repairs can keep you from going into further debt. If you don't have an emergency fund, then you can try to build one by setting attainable goals. In the end, your goal should be to have several months worth of living expenses set aside.

Plan For the Worst

After buying a home, you may later realize you have larger problems to deal with, such as bad roofing or a sinking foundation. These could end up costing more than you have saved. Before this happens, you may want to look into financing options for big ticket repairs. This way you wan't be scrambling to finance anything beyond your savings.

Lewis says, “If savings and insurance don’t cover these high costs, your best bet might be to finance the repairs with a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. A HELOC acts like a credit card and is backed by your home’s equity. We’ve found that many homeowners get HELOCs just so they’ll have a readily available source of money in case of emergency.”

Unexpected home repairs don't need to keep you up at night. Make sure to plan now to save yourself heartache in the future.

Search for your dream home in Albuquerque with our easy to use home search. Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

6448 Kola Court NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 $399,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2587 Square Feet

Exceptional custom home! Cul-de-sac location and huge lot! 4BDR/3BA/3CG with master bdr split plan. Private owner's suite on its own wing features tray ceiling, garden tub, sep shower, double sink vanity, walk-in closet & linen closet. REFRIG AIR! Great room & dining room share a cozy two-way fireplace and are open to the custom kitchen with great entertaining space! Kitchen features beautiful cabinets with crown molding, recessed lighting, granite countertops, backsplash, bkst bar, tile flooring, walk-in pantry! Oversized backyard with backyard access, extended covered patio, trees, shrubs and walled for privacy. Perfect for summer BBQs and enjoying the best of NM weather!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details!

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Home Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Monday, October 26, 2015

by Sandi Pressley

Deferred maintenance is a huge concern for buyers. If they find small things left undone in a listing, they're likely to walk away without giving the home a second thought. Here are a few home maintenance tips to make your home stand out when you're listed for sale.

You should be replacing your air filter and dusting the return vents at least once every 3 months. More often if you live in a dusty area, have pets or suffer from allergies. This will help your AC system last longer and nothing turns off a buyer like looking up and seeing a filter covered in dust and hair.

Grout, in areas of your home that get wet, need to be cleaned and resealed about once per year. If you notice an area that needs it more often, add it to your calendar. Buyers may not notice your efforts but I guarantee they will notice if it's not done.

Look for leaky faucets and toilets. Run faucets for a minute or two and check under the sinks for water leaking. If you think you might have a leak, turn off all water sources and check your meter. Still moving? You may have a leak. The ABQ Water Authority can help you with a water audit to help detect those leaks and refer a licensed plumber to get repairs done.

Finally, dust ceiling corners and remove cobwebs from the front porch area. While cobwebs and dust may not be indicators of damage, it can give a buyer the wrong impression about your home. Best to clear them out before your first showing.

If you're ready to put your Albuquerque home on the market, call The Sandi Pressley team today. We'll help you get your home ready to sell fast and for the best possible price.

Have An Awesome Week!

Sandi's Hot Home Listing

1015 C De Baca Lane, Bernalillo

Price: $550,000 Beds:4 Baths: 3 Square Feet: 3,664

Welcome to this Exquisite Custom home in the sought after gated community of C de Baca Casitas. Upon entering this home, you’ll notice sweeping views of the Sandias! Built by Su Casa, this home features Diamond Finish Plaster, arches, pillars, beamed/raised ceilings, custom lighting, hardwood & travertine flooring.

View This Listing

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

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Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4