CLOSE THE DOOR BEFORE IT COSTS YOU!

It’s too bad the world has changed to such an mistrusting place.  But, we’ve done it to ourselves.  Gone are the days when buying something at the door that you didn’t like would cost you a few bucks.  Today’s mistakes can cost you THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.  Here’s a story that will having you nailing your front door shut!

We were looking for a classroom rental as we had a new project coming up and we were also planning to sell our home. When listing a home to sell and before any real estate transaction began, we took our due diligence to find out all we could about our client’s Barrhaven home.  A good real estate agent should do this right at the beginning  as your get ready to put your home on the real estate market.  Through our questioning we found out our client had recently rented a new furnace.  The old one (old is a relative term) was 10 years old which is considered about 1/2 way through the life of a furnace.  Through further investigation we found out the the door-to-door sales representative promised that with the higher efficiency and the full coverage and warranty for 10 years, that in the end there would be a savings.  Through documents, we saw that the rental was just over $100 a month for 10 years!  THAT”S $12,000!!!  OMG.  A new furnace for a home of the size our client’s is can range from $3500 – $5000!  You’ll need to save a lot of natural gas and the furnace would have to be repaired many, many times before you could ever see enough”savings” to balance out.

While trying to market this very popular Barrhaven home, we met immediate and strong resistance from buyers.  There was no way they would take over this rental contract.  In the end, the sellers had to pay out the contract at a cost of approximately $11000!  What a shame and a costly error.  The seller’s are smart, hard working and really lovely people who don’t deserve this kind of treatment.  But, they fell into the same trap that hundreds of other people have done before them and we’re sorry to say, more will be caught like this in the future.

The moral …… do your homework.  If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!!  If the deal proposed is only available “RIGHT NOW, TODAY ONLY,” then pass on it.  If the deal is a good one and legitimate, you can get that same deal tomorrow.

Call friends, family, your lawyer or your real estate pro to get advice on these door-to-door scams.  Don’t get caught.  For every service that is sold door-to-door by scammers, there are hundreds of legitimate companies with good reputations who provide the same type of services.  Get referrals from your real estate pro.

PROTECT YOUR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND YOUR FAMILY

Landscaping Tips for Added Security

In 2014, just over 1.7 million individuals fell victim to burglary according to the FBI. Sometimes deadbolts and alarm systems just aren’t enough to deter thieves, and all they do is a opening a Pandora’s box of security issues. But there are outdoor security measures you can take to prevent property loss at the hands of a burglar. Here are 10 ways you can help protect your home and real estate investment with a well-planned landscape design:

1. Use plant deterrents. Thorny shrubs and bushes like holly or roses help thwart would-be burglars.

2. Prune vegetation regularly. Unkempt hedges provide hiding spots where perpetrators can lurk.

3. Trim the trees. Leave sufficient distance between tree branches and the roof or second-story windows to limit intruder access.

4. Leave a clear line of sight to windows or doors. Blocking these views leaves your home more vulnerable to break-ins.

5. Invest in accent lights. Illuminate your yard to eliminate potential hiding spots.

6. Install additional lighting. Don’t just rely on the porch light. Consider adding motion-sensitive lighting to help ward off possible intruders.

7. Put gravel beneath ground-floor windows. Burglars rely on silence; stepping on gravel can be a startling repellent.

8. Protect the back door. Many thieves try this less obvious point of entry first.

9. Replace solid privacy fences. Solid fencing helps intruders go undetected. Partial privacy fencing is a more secure option.

10. Lock all gates. It seems obvious, but it’s still worth a mention. The Liberty Locksmith website recommends that you should keep front and back gates locked at all times. While pleasing to look at, landscaping does more than enhance your home’s outdoor aesthetic. Go to SixTechSys.com for expert advice. Consider whether your current setup promotes security or makes your home appealing to thieves. Use these landscaping security tips to help prevent your home from becoming the target of a burglary. If you have any issues with locks, solve them using Kwikey Locksmith Services, INC.

Provided by Rebecca Silva Realtor.

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