Marketing Your Home for Sale: Find Some Time and Some Distance

Marketing Your Home for Sale: Find Some Time and Some Distance

Source: Jon Nunan, Home Advisor

 Many detail-oriented tasks and larger decisions will be made when you're putting your house on the market for sale. One of the most important things to remember, however, to successfully sell your own home is that there's a difference between the building as a property and the building as your home. While moving out can be emotional, being able to look at your house objectively is crucial for good house staging. Here are some tips that can help you attain that ever-beneficial objective eye, and hopefully lead to a good selling price, too.

House Staging Step 1: Thorough Cleaning
One of the most important facets of home staging is cleaning. Your house staging scouring should include the basic spring cleaning list:

• Washing walls, floors, countertops, and other surfaces.
• Cleaning blinds and curtains
• Removing clutter

You'll also want to begin to empty your house of items you don't need for daily use. Any items you want to keep but don't need, you can store at a friend or family member's place or storage.  Once you consider your property thoroughly cleaned, it is a good idea to have a friend or co-worker come in and give your house a once-over; chances are he or she will be better able to spot areas where more attention is needed.

 Remodeling to Sell Your Home Faster
Bathroom and kitchen remodels are always among the most common home improvement projects, they also tend to have a significant impact on the final value of your home. Take the time to focus on these rooms and see what can be done to make them more appealing. While completely remodeling is a bit of an extreme for simple house staging, be sure to fix any leaky faucets or appliances that don't work. Paint walls that are dirty or chipped instead of just trying to clean them. You'll also want to walk around the rest of your house and identify areas that need to be worked on.

Home Inspections for House Staging
While much of house staging is focused on appearances, there are benefits to hiring a service professional to complete a structural inspection of your home. Many home buyers will ask for this inspection anyway and this will allow you to ensure the buyer upfront that you're not hiding anything. A typical home inspection will include a general structural evaluation including:

• the foundation, roofing, gutters, and siding and windows on the exterior
• electrical, heating and air, ducts and vents, insulation, and smoke alarms on the inside
• Not Typical: asbestos, termites, and other specific issues.

 

Putting Your Home on the Market

Just before your house goes on the market, go through everything again. Remove any worn or cumbersome furniture and rearrange the furniture that remains to make it look more attractive. Shampoo your carpets and stop wearing shoes inside. Once your house staging is complete and you begin showing the house, don't let your diligence go to waste! Continue to vacuum and dust everyday.

Read more: http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.Marketing-Your-Home-for-Sale-Find-Some-Time-Get-Some-Distance.14128.html#ixzz2wWt4lAZm

5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Improve your Kitchen

Improve your kitchen without breaking your wallet.

1. Pull-out Shelves
   Anyone who's ever gone rooting through the back of their kitchen knows a thing or two about the convenience of pull-out shelves. Pull-out shelving not only provides ease of access, but also organization and additional storage space. This one from ShelfGenie includes multiple shelves for easy storage of small kitchen accessories and appliances.

2. Under-Cabinet Lights 
    It's hard to slice and dice your dinner preparations when you're working in your own shadow. Under-cabinet lights shed some light on the subject, putting an end to the dark days of squinting to see what you're cooking. They also produce a brighter and more polished presentation of the kitchen for potential buyers.

3. Flexible Faucet
     In order to stay within budget, you don't have to improve everything but the kitchen sink. Installing a  flexible faucet seriously improves an old sink's functionality and refreshes its look with modern style. Of course, a good looking and highly functional sink is sure to impress any potential home buyers focused on the kitchen.

4. Knobs, Pulls, and Hinges
     For another quick, inexpensive way to add creative accents to your kitchen, replace the knobs, pulls, and hinges on your cabinets. There's a limitless array of options, and you can finish the job in a weekend.
   
5. Hooks
     Hoe many different things can you hang from a hook? Pot holders, mugs, cooking utensils, recipe clips ... the options are endless, and a hook can be placed just about anywhere.


Interested in working with a Realtor who puts you first and cares about saving you money? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. 

Source: Houselogic.com

7 Signs You Have a Drainage Problem

Clogged gutters don't just prevent water from flowing off
your home, they can also cause structural damage.

You don’t have to be a geophysicist to know that puddles in the basement or a lake on the front lawn are signs of drainage problems.

But many drainage problems aren’t so obvious. Here’s how the pros read some of the more subtle signs of bad drainage, and why you’ll save big bucks if you tackle these problems now instead of later.

Sign #1: Gushing gutters

Vertical streaks of dirt on the outside of gutters, mud spattered on siding, or paint peeling off the house in vertical strips are some of the signs. If you don’t take action, overflowing gutters can rot siding, ruin paint jobs, and cause structural damage.

• Best case: Leaves are clogging the downspout, and you just need to clear them out or hire a pro to do it (about $75).
• Worst case: Gutters are undersized or improperly pitched and need to be replaced or reinstalled. That could run a few thousand dollars, but it’s still cheaper than new siding.

Sign #2: Downspouts that dump

Each inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet of a roof produces more than 600 gallons of runoff to the brim. Dumping that much water too close to the foundation can send it right into the basement, where it can ruin the flooring and your belongings.

• Best case: You can add gutter extensions (about $10 for a 10-foot length) to carry the water at least 5 feet away from the house.

• Worst case: Too-short downspouts continually dump buckets of water around your foundation. The water seeps deep into the soil and puts pressure on your foundation walls, eventually cracking them. A foundation contractor comes out and gives you an estimate of $30,000 to excavate around your foundation and fix everything. 

Sign #3: Water stains in the basement

Depending on where a stain shows up, you can tell if the problem is caused by surface water, which can be easy to deal with, or water traveling underground, a potentially bigger headache.

• Best case: You see stains high on your foundation wall, meaning that water is coming from an overflowing gutter, or that surface runoff backed up against your house because the soil around your foundation doesn’t slope adequately (6 inches for every 10 horizontal feet is best).
  
• Worst case: The stain extends in a line around the basement. If that’s the case, you may be looking at a high-water mark caused by a fluctuating water table. Or, your basement floor lies below the level of municipal storm drains that back up during heavy rains. In either case, an interior drain system and sump pump (around $3,000) will pump any seepage out of our basement.

Sign #4: Cracks in the foundation

Foundations often have small cracks that appear as houses settle over time. Most are harmless, but keep an eagle eye on cracks larger than 1/8-inch wide by marking the ends with an erasable pencil line. Measure the width and jot it down. If you notice the cracks are growing, you’ve got potential problems.

• Best case: A crack appears where the builders finished installing one load of concrete and began pouring the next. Such cracks usually don’t penetrate all the way through. And even if they do, as long as they’re stable you can patch them with hydraulic cement or polyurethane caulk for less than $20.
  
• Worst case: Cracks are continuing to widen, indicating that a drainage problem may be ruining the foundation. Call a structural engineer (not a contractor or waterproofing expert) to diagnose the problem, assess the risk, and suggest a repair.

Sign #5: Flaking and deposits on walls

If you see areas of white or gray crust on the basement walls, that’s efflorescence—mineral deposits left behind by evaporating water. Or the wall may be flaking off in big patches, a condition called spalling.

• Best case: The efflorescence points to a place where moisture is condensing. It doesn’t cause structural problems, but you may want to check out your gutters, downspouts, and the grading of the soils around your foundation. Scrape off the crust if it looks ugly.
  
• Worst case: The wall is spalling because water is getting inside the masonry. Spalling can be just superficial, but if it’s deeper than ½-inch and widespread, it may be a sign of improper drainage that threatens the integrity of your foundation.

Sign #6: Mildew in the attic

Sure, the attic might be a strange place to look for drainage problems, but mildew on the underside of the roof can be a tipoff to serious trouble at the ground level.

• Best case: Bathroom fans are spewing hot air directly into the attic, where it condenses on the cold back side of the roof and causes mildew. Venting the fan through an outside wall or the roof (about $200) solves the problem.
  
• Worst case: Moisture from the basement or crawl space is rising through the house and condensing on the underside of the roof. In that case, you’ve got to find and stop the source of the dampness under the house. If you don’t act, you’ll end up replacing roof sheathing and shingles, a job that runs $6,000 to $9,000 for the typical house.

Sign #7: Migrating mulch

When soil doesn’t drain properly, rain runs off in sheets carrying piles of mulch or wood chips where they don’t belong. 

• Best case: For a few hundred dollars, you can hire a landscaper to create a simple berm (a soil mound) or swale (a wide, shallow ditch) to redirect the water flow away from the house.
• Worst case: Your concrete patio cracks and paving stones start popping up because the gravel or sand base material has washed away. After redirecting the water, you’ll need to excavate the patio and start again.

Source: houselogic.com

Looking for an experienced Realtor who can not only assist you in any of your real estate needs but also give you helpful advice on home ownership? As top 3% in the nation, I offer my clients valuable information on all real estate matters. I am licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. And I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium. Contact me today!

When to DIY and When to Hire a Pro

Doing maintenance jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you’ll end up paying dearly.

Look for maintenance jobs that are relatively easy and need to be done regularly,  so you can hone your skills over time.

Why pay someone to do something you can do yourself? Because sometimes doing it yourself costs more than it saves.

More than 100,000 people injure themselves each year doing home improvement jobs. So add medical bills to your DIY budget, and you ending up spending the same, or more, than if you hired a pro. We’re not suggesting that you call a plumber each time you need to plunge a toilet. But think twice about what DIY might really cost you. Here’s how to decide.

Stick to routine maintenance for savings and safety

Seasonal home maintenance is ideal work for the weekend warrior because you can tackle these jobs when your schedule permits. Because these are routine maintenance projects, your savings will add up. Mowing your own lawn, for example, saves $55 to $65 a week for a half-acre lawn. The bigger the lot, the bigger the savings: with two acres, you’ll pocket around $150 per week.

When it pays:

• Snow removal
• Pruning shrubs
• Washing windows (be careful on that ladder)
• Sealing decks
• Painting fences
• Fertilizing lawns
• Replacing air conditioner filters
• Cleaning gutters

When it costs: Unless you have skill and experience on your side, stay off any ladder taller than six feet; according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency rooms are filled with people with ladder injuries. The same goes for operating power saws or attempting any major electrical work—it’s simply too risky if you don’t have the experience.

Become your own general contractor

If you’re more comfortable operating an iPhone than a circular saw, you could act as your own general contractor on some home improvement projects. That means you hire, schedule, and pay the carpenters, plumbers, and other tradesmen yourself. You’ll save 10% to 20% of the job cost, which is the contractor’s typical fee.

When it pays: If it’s a small job that requires only two or three subcontractors, and you have good relationships with top-quality professionals in those fields, consider DIY contracting.

When it costs: When you don’t have an established network of reliable workers, time to supervise, construction experience to spot problems, and the skill to negotiate disputes between subcontractors, your project and budget are at risk.


Invest sweat equity on big jobs

Contribute your own labor to big jobs being handled by a professional crew and cut hundreds, even thousands, off construction costs. For instance, tear out kitchen cabinets and appliances before the contractor gets started, and you might knock $800 off the cost of your remodel. Make sure you negotiate cost savings with your contractor before pitching in.

When it pays: Jobs that are labor-intensive but require relatively little skill make perfect sweat equity jobs. Perform minor interior demolition, such as pulling up old flooring, daily job site cleanup, product assembly, and simple landscaping.

When it costs: If you get in the crew’s way, you may slow them down far more than you help. Make your contributions when the workers aren’t around; mornings before they arrive, or nights and weekends after they’ve left.

Add finishing touches

Unlike the early phases of a construction job—which require skilled labor to frame walls, install plumbing pipes, and run wires—many finishing touches are comparatively simple and DIY-friendly. If you paint a basement remodel yourself, for instance, you can save up to $1,800.

When it pays: If you have skill, patience, or an experienced friend to teach you, setting tile, laying flooring, painting walls, and installing trim are good DIY jobs.

When it costs: The downside to attempting your own finish work is that the results are very visible. Hammer dents in woodwork, or sander ruts in hardwood floors will annoy you every time you see them. So unless you have a sure eye and a steady hand, don’t perform the tasks that only a skilled tradesperson will get right.

Will you hire a pro for the next home maintenance project or will you DIY? If hiring a professional, we would be more than happy to get you in touch with one of our preferred contractors.  And, as always, contact me, Mynor Herrera, for expert advice on everything real estate. I am licensed in DC, MD & VA, and I specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

Source: houselogic.com

How to Clean Up Your Garden for Fall & Winter

Tidy your garden for fall and winter before the first frost to keep it comely even after the growing ends.

Growing season is winding down, but your garden still needs your love. Spent vines, stubborn weeds, greens gone to seed are making your garden look sloppy and tired.

Here are some fall vegetable garden cleanup tips:

Bury the dead

Nothing looks sadder than leggy tomato vines, yellow zucchini leaves, and dried-up perennials that long ago displayed their last bloom. So pull and prune the dead or dying plants in your garden.

Bury spent plants in your compost pile; double-bag diseased and infested plants and place in the trash. (Empty mulch bags are great final resting places for these plants, so be sure to stockpile them in spring.)

If your tomato vines are still bearing fruit, keep staking and pruning them until the first hard frost, when they’ll likely die. And give the birds a break and leave some seed-bearing but spent blooms for them. They love sunflowers, cone flowers, berries, and black-eyed Susans.

Pull weeds

This is the last time this season to pull weeds. Pluck them before they flower and send seeds throughout your garden that will rest in winter and sprout in spring.

If you have a mulcher, chop the weeds and throw them on your compost pile. If you want to be extra sure that weed seeds are dead, bag weeds in black plastic and place in a sunny place for a couple of months. The heat will kill the seeds. Then throw the cooked weeds on your compost pile.

Harvest seeds

One way to cut garden expenses is to harvest and store seeds. One large sunflower, for instance, can provide seeds for hundreds of plants next spring. Here are some seed guidelines.

• Harvest seeds from heirloom vegetables and standard plants.
• Disease can spread through seeds, so only harvest seeds from your healthiest plants.
• Don’t harvest seeds from hybrid plants, which often are sterile or will look nothing like the parent plant.
• Only harvest mature seeds from dry and faded blooms and pods. Mature seeds are often cream colored or brown.
• After seeds are dry, store them in envelopes or glass jars in a cool, dry place.

Gather supports

Stack and cover metal tomato cages. Bundle wooden or bamboo stakes, and store in a dry place so they don’t rot over winter. And retrieve panty-hose vine ties that you can re-use next spring.

Instead of throwing out broken cages and stakes, repurpose them. Snip off remaining cage legs to use for pepper supports. Broken tomato steaks will support smaller plants if you whittle one end into a point, so it easily slips into the ground.

Source: Houselogic.com

Would you like to work with a Realtor that provides you with valuable information on home improvement? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the subdivisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda and Whitehall Condominium.

Home Improvement Myths

As Realtors, we always put our clients’ best interests as our top priority. We become their advocates and guide them through buying or selling homes. I came across this great article: Top 10 Home Improvement Myths, and through years of experience I’ve witnessed some believers turn into smart homeowners through proper guidance. Here are the things most of us think are facts, but are actually not.

1.      Any remodeling project will add value to your home. 

In some instances this may be true but certain improvements which are made to fit the current owners’ lifestyle may be viewed negatively by the people buying it in the future. The article cited combining two smaller rooms to make a larger bedroom.

2.      Buying the highest-quality materials attracts more buyers. 

The more expensive the materials, the better chance for a resale --- buying high-end materials may initially sound like a great decision but it has its repercussions. Overhauling the house with such materials can sway value-conscious buyers to more aptly-improved homes in the neighborhood.

3.      Adding square footage always adds value.  

Will the extra square feet be utilized by the homebuyers? If the additional square footage is not useable, the house may lose its value to a buyer if the space is not finished as the rest of the home.

4.      Colors and textures – safe and simple is better. 

Keeping a home with safe neutral colors so those buying it can choose their own combinations may seem feel great --- but what other people do not understand is the fact that most buyers don’t have the ability to visualize the home according to how they actually want it. Lack of color and texture appeal can lose value as oppose to those who took time to consult with an expert.

5.      Inside improvements are better than outside improvements. 

It’s not always the case. If the house doesn’t offer a great curb appeal or the front lawn is neglected, buyers almost always stop there so any improvements you spend on the inside may not get you more dollars. So homeowners should always start remodeling from the outside and work their way in.

6.      Adding a bedroom is better than adding a bathroom. 

This one depends on what you’re starting with. If you have a 2-bedroom house, adding another bedroom is a wise choice as buyers have inclination to 3-bedroom houses but if you already have enough bedrooms, adding a second bath is a great investment.

7.      Paint hides a multitude of sins. 

Molds? Termite issues? Fungus damage? These are the things that paint can fix and if not fixed before the purchase, can set the sellers up for liability in the future.

8.      Converting a garage to living space is a great trade-off. 

This move is viewed negatively by future buyers unless the homeowner replace the converted garage with another parking space of equal size.

9.      Sellers can save money by doing improvements themselves. 

Getting a contractor to fix the smallest of things inside the house feels expensive so some homeowners, fixing these themselves may seem like a bright idea but there are problems that only an expert can deal with. And while getting the first aid done may seem to have solved the problems, in time it may end up costing more.  

  

10. Pools add value to your home.

This depends on where you’re from. Is it necessary to own a pool where you can actually swim for just 10 days a year and maintain it for the rest?

This is a great article that can help you guide your homeowners and buyers alike as to where and how they should start remodeling.  

As a top Realtor, I can give you more tips on how the best ways to remodel your home to better appeal to buyers. . If you have questions,  feel free to call me, Mynor Herrera, I can also give you expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium. 

Solutions for Bathroom Plumbing Problems

Would you like to work with a Realtor who offers valuable information and provides the highest level of customer service to his clients? Call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.

Say Goodbye to that Squeaky Door Hinge

As an experienced realtor who has sold a lot of homes, I am detail-oriented. You can always make your homes better so read on these tips. If you have any more questions, call me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.

Kitchen Remodeling: What’s IN this 2012?

We all want to make our kitchens look like a Chef’s haven but the underlying costs of overhauling one of the most expensive sections of our home seems to hold us back. Here are the top options that would keep our expenses at bay.

Trend #1 MAKE A STEP BACK.

It’s nice to buy new, expensive things but with our current economy it’s nicer to fix what you already have. Take care of your current appliances, you’ll be amazed at how good safekeeping and maintenance can save you a lot of money. Instead of deciding on a new purchase, a presently working model still bakes the cake and obviously keeps you from hemorrhaging money from unnecessary buys.

Your cabinetry is an integral part of your kitchen, almost always these things were made as an immovable part of it so the best way to save is to work your way around it. Always choose functionality over design, invest on practical stuffs like roll-out drawers which you actually use on a daily basis rather than decorations which, in time, get outdated.


Trend #2 LEAN ON SIMPLER, WARMER STYLES.

Be a minimalist. Choose monochromes of dark or Earthy palettes over fussy hues. These designs present timeless taste and value-conscious style.

The trend of warmer styles will go on for years, darker hues will be in for a long time that will feature natural Earthy and stained woods. Walnut, in particular, is growing in steadily as one of the more popular choices.

If what you have in mind is contemporary, laminate countertops will continually surge in popularity for the kitchen aficionados. In the recent years, we have seen great improvement in laminate finishes especially those European-inspired designs. It is apparent that exotic kitchen furniture is out of most homeowner’s reach because of their price range; glossy, laminate-versions are the answer and can be had for much lower prices.


Trend #3 EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY.

Technology is everywhere. Soon enough your regular kitchen appliances will be equipped with USB sports so you can digitally display family photos, reminders or your kids’ artworks.

You may also have the chance to operate appliances with built-in cooktops which can remember your cooking temperatures while you move around your kitchen doing other things, very time-efficient.

Standard cabinet kitchen doors are fast becoming outdated in your techno-filled kitchen. You’ll opt for remote controlled cabinets which you can control with one-light touch. You’ll start paying 40-70% more for electronically-controlled cabinets than the standard ones.

Smartphones and tablets will soon become your kitchen assistants. You can control your appliances using them anywhere you have a hotspot Wi-Fi connection. You can also shop online from major manufacturers.

Regulars lights will soon be out and LEDs will be dominating your kitchen space. You will start opting for LEDs for your recessed light, under-cabinet task and color-changing accent lightings.

What will also come out for your purchase are affordable microwaves with convection and steam control that give owners with smaller kitchen spaces a more high-end cooking experience.

Are you ready to make your kitchens look hip?

If you are interested to work with a realtor who knows a great deal about kitchen remodeling, its trends and current market situation, contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, and Whitehall Condominium.

Chevy Chase Selected to Help the Environment

If you like a pretty yard, hate mowing, and live in Chevy Chase, there’s a solution for both you and the environment. According to Gazette.net, the city will be the first in the area to participate in RainScapes, a pilot program to help reduce storm runoff into local streams and Chesapeake Bay by replacing grass with gardens.

The Montgomery County program is offering homeowners and businesses a rebate for getting their landscapes to absorb more water. The program is currently focusing on the county’s oldest neighborhoods which don’t have modern stormwater drainage systems. As one of the oldest suburbs in the DC area, Chevy Chase was chosen as the starting point.

One local resident, Judith McGuire, received $500 to help cover the cost of turning her front yard from grass to a rainwater garden filled with Christmas ferns, milkweed, goldenrod and other local plant varieties. RainScapes hopes to get at least 30 percent of homeowners in Chevy Chase to participate in their program and reduce drainage system runoff by 30 percent. For most people, it can be as simple as creating a rain garden like Judith’s.

The maximum rebate allowed for a residential project is $1200, and pay-outs are based on individual project costs. The total program budget is about $350,000, with $100,000 set aside for rebates. RainScapes will also be targeting entire neighborhoods, hiring contractors to put in rain gardens, rain barrels, and permeable driveways to reduce runoff. The details and costs to individual homeowners are still under discussion.

Even if RainScapes is not currently working with your city or neighborhood, the county hopes that individual homeowners will consider creating rain gardens or other systems to protect the bay area from runoff issues. The health of the planet really is everyone’s responsibility.

Living where everyone cares for the environment is another reason to call the DC area home. Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.

How to Keep the Power On in Bethesda

Anyone who lives in Bethesda, Chevy Chase or the general DC metro area has had their power knocked out by a storm. Sometimes it’s only gone for minutes, but in extreme situations it can be hours or days. If you have a critical need to keep your power on at all times, consider a standby generator. This is a stand-alone unit that sits outside your house and is run by an alternative power source such as propane or natural gas. If the electricity fails, the unit is signaled to turn on even if you’re not home.

These units are pricey, from $5,000 to $40,000, but they do recoup about 48 percent of their cost when you sell. What follows is some information from Houselogic.com on how to assess if this is really what you need.

Buying a standby generator is like buying insurance—you really can’t tell when or if you’ll need it. Some critical decision factors are:

·         Your area has frequent, prolonged power losses.

·         You and/or your family rely on medical equipment that needs electricity.

·         You work at home and need to stay connected to your office.

If you live where it’s hot, a generator ensures that children and the elderly are protected from the heat. This obviously works in reverse in cold areas and can also help prevent pipes from freezing and flooding the house, which can be a lot more expensive than the price of the generator.

Once you’ve decided this is for you, evaluate your power requirements. Home wattage use varies, and the more power a generator will supply the more it costs. Then decide what you want or need powered in an emergency. It can be as little as the AC, the fridge, and some lights, to as much as the whole house. A 3,000 square-foot house could need 25 to 30 kilowatts of power. Just running a few things requires as little as 17kW. The bigger the need, the larger the generator required.

Whenever possible, have your generator supplier set up your service, as they’re most familiar with the product. Otherwise, you need a plumber to connect the fuel source and an electrician to connect to your home’s power supply. Make sure anyone you use is licensed and certified for your unit, that they know the local codes regarding location and fuel storage and whether a permit is needed.

Along with the cost of the generator and its installation, remember to budget for the type of fuel it will use. In addition, will you need to plumb for a gas line or perhaps purchase and install a propane tank? It’s a good idea to talk with your plumber or utility company before you buy the generator to ensure you can get an affordable alternative power source in your area.

Once set up, you can relax and know that you’ll have power despite Mother Nature’s whims, and that you’ve also added value to your home.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.