Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My blog has moved!
My blog has moved to http://www.a2realestateblogger.com . Please come visit me there!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
We have moved into our new temporary office!
As we patiently wait for our wonderful new office space to be done (323 Braun Court), we have moved into the second floor of the house next door (325 Braun Court). Other than the address, all of my contact information remains the same. I'll keep you posted and let you know when you can drop in and see us at our new office!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Amazingly, some GOOD economic news!
Rumor has it that the University of Michigan plans to buy the Pfizer site on the north side of Ann Arbor! The formal announcement has not yet been made, but it is said that they expect to bring 2000 new jobs to the area over the next ten years. Fantastic!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Happy REALTOR designation month!
The National Association of REALTORS has named November REALTOR designation month. In addition to enjoying learning, I also feel that continuing education helps me to best serve my clients. Real estate is a field in which there is always more to learn. The first designation that I earned is ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and the second is e-pro (a course that teaches how to use technology to better serve your clients). This month, to celebrate REALTOR designation month, I plan to fulfill the requirements for the At Home with Diversity designation. I am excited about this course! Ann Arbor's diversity is one of the things that I love most about this town and I want to make sure that I have the knowledge to be helpful to all people.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Downtown Ann Arbor celebrates Halloween!
On Halloween the downtown Ann Arbor library will have storytellers from 9:30 am- 10 am and again from10:30-11 am. From there, children are encouraged to join the treat parade downtown. Many Ann Arbor merchants are prepared and happy to pass out candy to children in costume between 11 am and 5 pm. It is a sight to behold, so even if you don't have kids, it's worth a trip downtown to have a look. For participating stores, see the Main Street Association's web site at http://www.mainstreetannarbor.org/newsdetail.asp?id=45 . And have a Happy Halloween!
Monday, October 20, 2008
10 ways to cut energy bills this fall
The Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors just sent out this information and I thought it was well worth passing along....
When the leaves start falling, you know that the heating bills are about to start rising. But keeping your home warm and cozy on chilly autumn nights doesn't have to break the bank.The U.S. Department of Energy offers these simple tips and relatively inexpensive home improvements that will help ensure cold gusts stay out and your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it should.The goal: Conserve energy and keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.Share these ideas with customers and use them for your own house. After all, who doesn't need to save a little money these days?1. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Save 10 percent ($190 per year) or more on energy bills. Focus on windows, doors, outlets or switch plates on exterior walls.2. Properly maintain the heating system. Heating accounts for half the average family's energy bill (approximately $950 per year). Make sure the furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. The small cost (about $75-100 for most service calls) will pay back in better performance all year long.3. Install a programmable thermostat. Programming the thermostat from 72ºF to 65ºF for eight hours a day while no one is home, or everyone is tucked in bed, will cut the heating bill up to 10 percent ($90 per year), paying for a basic unit in less than a year.4. Seal and insulate heating ducts. A system can lose up to 60 percent of its warmed air before it reaches the register (wasting $570 in warmed air per year) if ducts are not properly insulated in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces.5. Insulate, insulate, insulate. Adequate insulation in the attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawlspaces can save up to 30 percent on home energy bills ($630 per year). Focus on the attic. (Heat rises.) Most homes should have between R-30 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Learn more at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer. 6. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. When in use, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window about an inch, close doors to the room, and lower thermostat setting to 50-55ºF.7. Let the sun shine in. Open curtains on south facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.8. Stay out of hot water. Water heating accounts for 15 percent of household energy use. Reduce water heating costs by lowering the water heater’s thermostat setting. Each 10ºF reduction can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs. Also insulate the hot water heater and hot water pipes.9. Install storm windows over single-pane windows or replace them with Energy Star qualified windows. Storm windows reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent, and storm windows with low-e coating that reflect heat back into the room during the winter months save even more energy. Look for the Energy Star label to maximize savings. Energy Star qualified windows reduce heating and cooling bills by an average of $345, but could be higher in cold and hot climates, compared with uncoated, single-pane windows. Can’t afford new windows just now? Tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside of window frames if drafts, water condensation, or frost are present.10. Net big savings with a little label. When replacing appliances, light bulbs, electronics, or heating and cooling systems, cut energy bills by up to 30 percent ($600 per year) with Energy Star labeled products. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs. Find retailers at www.energystar.gov.These and other improvements that impact the energy efficiency of a home can save home owners money in the short term and serve as a selling point to potential buyers later. Be sure to save receipts, documentation, and manufacturer’s information.Not sure where to begin? Try the Department of Energy's online energy audit tool at www.hes.lbl.gov. In the long run, a whole-house energy audit is a fool proof way to make a plan to address wasted energy and make a home operate efficiently for years to come. Visit www.natresnet.org to find a qualified auditor in your neck of the woods.
When the leaves start falling, you know that the heating bills are about to start rising. But keeping your home warm and cozy on chilly autumn nights doesn't have to break the bank.The U.S. Department of Energy offers these simple tips and relatively inexpensive home improvements that will help ensure cold gusts stay out and your furnace doesn't have to work harder than it should.The goal: Conserve energy and keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.Share these ideas with customers and use them for your own house. After all, who doesn't need to save a little money these days?1. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Save 10 percent ($190 per year) or more on energy bills. Focus on windows, doors, outlets or switch plates on exterior walls.2. Properly maintain the heating system. Heating accounts for half the average family's energy bill (approximately $950 per year). Make sure the furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. The small cost (about $75-100 for most service calls) will pay back in better performance all year long.3. Install a programmable thermostat. Programming the thermostat from 72ºF to 65ºF for eight hours a day while no one is home, or everyone is tucked in bed, will cut the heating bill up to 10 percent ($90 per year), paying for a basic unit in less than a year.4. Seal and insulate heating ducts. A system can lose up to 60 percent of its warmed air before it reaches the register (wasting $570 in warmed air per year) if ducts are not properly insulated in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces.5. Insulate, insulate, insulate. Adequate insulation in the attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawlspaces can save up to 30 percent on home energy bills ($630 per year). Focus on the attic. (Heat rises.) Most homes should have between R-30 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Learn more at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer. 6. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. When in use, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window about an inch, close doors to the room, and lower thermostat setting to 50-55ºF.7. Let the sun shine in. Open curtains on south facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.8. Stay out of hot water. Water heating accounts for 15 percent of household energy use. Reduce water heating costs by lowering the water heater’s thermostat setting. Each 10ºF reduction can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs. Also insulate the hot water heater and hot water pipes.9. Install storm windows over single-pane windows or replace them with Energy Star qualified windows. Storm windows reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent, and storm windows with low-e coating that reflect heat back into the room during the winter months save even more energy. Look for the Energy Star label to maximize savings. Energy Star qualified windows reduce heating and cooling bills by an average of $345, but could be higher in cold and hot climates, compared with uncoated, single-pane windows. Can’t afford new windows just now? Tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside of window frames if drafts, water condensation, or frost are present.10. Net big savings with a little label. When replacing appliances, light bulbs, electronics, or heating and cooling systems, cut energy bills by up to 30 percent ($600 per year) with Energy Star labeled products. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs. Find retailers at www.energystar.gov.These and other improvements that impact the energy efficiency of a home can save home owners money in the short term and serve as a selling point to potential buyers later. Be sure to save receipts, documentation, and manufacturer’s information.Not sure where to begin? Try the Department of Energy's online energy audit tool at www.hes.lbl.gov. In the long run, a whole-house energy audit is a fool proof way to make a plan to address wasted energy and make a home operate efficiently for years to come. Visit www.natresnet.org to find a qualified auditor in your neck of the woods.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
It's official! Trillium Real Estate is moving!
Trillium Real Estate's Future Home!
It's official! We are moving to the absolute best place in town: Kerrytown! Trillium is purchasing this beautiful home on Braun Court. Braun Court is a lovely pedestrian area, just off Fourth Avenue. Farmer's Market and Kerrytown shops are just across the street and Zingerman's is barely a hop, skip and a jump away. I am very excited. We plan to move between Christmas and New Year's to minimize disruption to our business. Please come take a peek and visit us in late December! We welcome walk-ins from old friends and new ones.
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