Keep Your Storm Drains Clear

Storm Drains

We live near a modest low spot in the street. Our neighbors have a storm drain in front of their home that is critical to removing water from the area. They understand its importance and keep it clear, and we periodically joke about battling the “leaf terrorists.” There have been times during our many years here when a heavy rain washed enough leaves into the previously clear drain to clog it. Water builds up in

Private Consultations vs Buyer Seminars

2020-05-01 Private Consultations vs Buyer Seminars

We are available for private consultations, to answer your questions about buying a home or anything else related to real estate, on a variety of video conferencing platforms. I lead with that because I’ve noticed an explosion of virtual buyer seminars advertised since video conferences became the norm. Buyer seminars happened before Zoom, of course, so it’s not like they are totally new. However, they are much more efficient to organize virtually. And the big

Energy Efficiency Day

Energy Efficiency Day

Today, Wednesday October 2, 2019, is Energy Efficiency Day in Hartford. The City’s Sustainability Office is hosting an Eco Expo at City Hall from 4:00p to 7:00p so residents and businesses can learn about different ways to improve their property’s energy efficiency. They are having free energy efficiency workshops for residential properties starting at 6:00p, and ask that folks RSVP. We had an energy audit of our home a while back and got some good

Real Estate Math

Of the various maths involved in residential real estate, calculating the value of home improvement projects is the most difficult. Return on investment is ultimately determined by the market. There are no definitive answers, unlike there are in the problem above. A quick quiz: Which of these projects tends to provide the best return on investment for sellers?    A. Back Yard Patio Installation    B. Garage Door Replacement    C. Minor Kitchen Remodel    D. Window Replacement Buyers

Alert: Extreme Cold Ahead

The precipitation is getting all the headlines, but the extreme cold predicted to follow is just as concerning. Take a couple minutes today to make sure your house is ready for extended single-digit temperatures. Check your heating oil level, drain the exterior spigots, and bring in some firewood if you regularly burn fires. If you have drafty windows or doors, then consider buying insulating strips to temporarily plug the cracks. Stay warm, and make sure