Are you ready for Winter?

Is your home ready for winter?


Some very simple and inexpensive steps could help you save this winter. The Consumer Energy Center Organization offers many tips to prevent wasting hard earned dollars.

Some of the biggest waste of energy is when heat escapes through leaks in windows, doors, fireplace dampers, ducts, wires, and pipes. A well-sealed home is an energy-effecient home and can save you as much as 10-15% on heating bills. Start by checking the caulking and weather-stripping around your doors and windows and repair or replace if needed.

Fireplaces are great and can help keep your toes toasty, however, you want to make sure that damper is closed when it isn't being used. Also, make sure you have your woodburning chimney cleaned before that first fire.

Don't foret the attic and basement. These areas cause considerable heat loss if not sealed. If you have pull-down stairs make sure the door closes tightly. Turn the attic light on and close the door, can you see light? Try using a thin high density weather-stripping that you just peal and stick to the outer edge of the pull-down door. You can also tuck faced insulation under the ladder rungs to insulate the door (paper side down).

Ceiling fans are another thing most people overlook. By changing the direction of the fan this helps push the warm air that has risen back down without the cooler force we want in the summer.

And last, the heating system. Have an annual (some like semi-annual) system check. Some equipment, much like us, when we haven't been used in a while tend to forget how to work properly. An improper working heating system can cost you. If the system doesn't turn off when it should not only does this use more energy $$, but could also be a safety issue. Try setting your termostat back a few degrees when you leave in the morning so the unit doesn't run all day when no one is home. You might even consider replacing your termostat with a programmable one. There are many to chose from with multiple daily setting and are inexpensive to purchase. It takes less energy to warm your home in the late afternoon than it does to keep it warm all day. This could even reduce you heating costs 20-75%. You should also replace you filter or filters each month. I know, it's not that dirty, but if you skip it this month you may forget and skip it next month too. Have you ever tried to breathe with your hand over your mouth and nose? That's what your unit is trying to do if you don't change that filter. The easier and more smoothly it is for the unit to run the better. I found that the best way to remember to change the filter is to change it when you pay your utility bill each month. It doesn't have to be the same day each month, but that is one less thing to keep up with in this busy world we live in.

Now, wasn't that simple?

What the Media doesn't want YOU to Know.

While it seems to me that the media wants everyone to think we’re all going to loose our homes, nothing is selling and it’s all doom and gloom, here are some facts about the Robertson Co. market.

Yes, single family home sales are slightly down compared to 2006. Why, 2006 was the best year Robertson Co. has seen.

(2005) 1/1/05 thru 11/15/05 1004 homes sold $148,918 av. price

(2006) 1/1/06 thru 11/15/06 1078 homes sold $158,745 av. price

(2007) 1/1/07 thru 11/14/07 1019 homes sold $172,386 av. price

(2005 total) 1156 home sold $149,322 av. price

(2006 total) 1234 homes sold $159,532 av. price

(2004 total) 990 homes sold $135,497 av.price

**These numbers are from the Middle TN MLS (Realtracs)

So, while the number of sales are slightly lower compared to this same time in 2006, the average sales price is up more than $13,600 ($23,400 than same time 2005). Still ahead of the previous years in sales and even more sales than 2004 year end.

Want to know more about Robertson Co., TN real estate? I’m just a call or email away.

Robertson Co. real estate market.

Let's talk real estate in Robertson Co.!

My name is Andy Knifley with CENTURY 21 Robertson Co. Real Estate, Inc. Our office is located in Springfield, TN, the seat of Robertson Co. I've been a REALTOR since July, 2001 after returning home from the Air Force. I am a "full time" agent helping buyers and sellers alike.

So, how's the market in Robertson Co.? Well, according to the national media, we are all going to either die from Global Warming or we are going to lose our homes to foreclosure. Fortunately, that's not the case here. According to the Middle Tn MLS (Realtracs) our average sales price for single family homes sold is up over $13,500 over this same time last year with and average sales price of over $172,000. (This is only for single family home sales reported in MLS and does not take into account any homes sold through private sales.)

Want to know more about what is going on with real estate in Robertson Co.? If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate in Robertson Co. or the surrounding counties I'm here to help. You can check me out at www.andysoldit.com.