10 Ways to Prevent Roof Leaks

Here’s a timely article from RIS Media – 10 Ways to Stop and Prevent Roof Leaks. You can get more detail on the RIS Media site.

1. Ensure shingles are correctly installed Beware structural sagging
2. Beware water ponding
3. Beware damaged nails
4. Beware improperly hung gutters
5. Beware moss
6. Beware insufficient insulation
7. Beware a deteriorating chimney
8. Look for evidence of poorly-done past repairs
9. Don’t forget the attic

Submitted by MN Realtor, Mary Rugani

Furnace Warning

Do you have a new high-efficiency furnaces vent out the side of your home? You will want to pay careful attention to advice given recently in the Minneapolis Star Tribune…

When those vents are buried in snow they're no longer able to supply the furnace with the fresh air it needs to operate and most will automatically shut off. But not all of them, and that can create a potentially lethal situation if the exhaust vent is locked and the furnace doesn't shut off - carbon monoxide produced by the combustion process in the furnace can fill your house.

Here are some tips…

• Keep at least a three-foot area around those vents clear and free of snow. Check it regularly to make sure that strong winds haven't caused drifting.
• Make sure that your carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that's colorless and odorless!
• After you've cleared the vents many furnaces will automatically restart, but not all of them. Aside from hearing it trying to restart and feeling warmth from the ducts, you'll know it's working because the warm air that's removed through the exhaust vent will melt nearby snow and sometimes create little icicles.

Submitted by Minnesota Buyer Agent, Mary Rugani

Seasonal House Market

The Minneapolis Star Tribune headline says a lot…

One frigid November for home sales: Traditional sellers are waiting for the spring thaw; distress sellers aren't. Result? Lower median sales.

Existing home sales dropped in November to 39.1 percent – that a drop of four percent from October. But the Minneapolis Star Tribune article goes on to suggest some content…

It's not unusual for the November chill and holiday hubbub to put a damper on the late-winter housing market. Buyers are busy being festive, and house shopping isn't as much fun when it's cold. At the same time, sellers don't want to be bothered by buyers, and many think it's best to wait for the spring thaw. The situation is even more complicated this year. Credit is still tight. Economic uncertainty lingers. And buyers and sellers alike await signs that the market has turned.

Submitted by Minneapolis Real Estate Agent, Mary Rugani

Word of the Year: Change

What’s the word of the year? Dictionary.com has decided that the word for 2010 is CHANGE.

According to RISMedia, this is what Dictionary.com had to say…

In 2010, millions of people from all walks of life visited Dictionary.com to discover the correct spelling, pronunciation, or definition of millions of words. Our Word of the Year directly reflects the thoughts of our users—a word that experienced a surge of look-ups in the past 12 months. The word is “change.” It’s not trendy or funny, nor was it coined on Twitter, but we think it tells a revealing story about how our users define 2010.

Submitted by MN Real Estate Agent Mary Rugani.

Document Shredding

Do you have a basement, bedroom or home office that is overflowing with old documents? They have outlived their usefulness – but you don’t want to throw them away? You’re wise not to throw away valuable documents especially with identity theft and fraud happening as often as it does. Well, last week I met someone who might be the answer to your paperwork problems.

First-Shred (http://www.firstshred.com) is a document destruction company working in and around Minneapolis. They will work with businesses as well as residential locations. They have a range of services that will help you safely and securely dispose of documents. If you are interested in this service, call Angie Hysjulien 612-205-5180.

Office space for rent

The space is great - but they're looking for someone to take over the lease for a year. It's in Minnetonka, it's $1400 per month and it could come furnished. Contact 612-791-8569 to make a deal.

Here are the details:

OPEN HOUSE:
Thursday, Dec 2nd -- 11am-2pm
Friday, Dec 3rd -- 11am- 2pm

-Three offices, reception/waiting room, work room with cupboards, copier and file cabinets
-Potential sub-lessor renting one office for $433/month
-$1400/month:
Option to rent suite fully furnished with phone system, reception desk

FEATURES:
-Convenient Minnetonka Location -- NE Corner of I-394 & Ridgedale Drive, 11900 N Wayzata Blvd, Suite #214
-Fireplace in waiting room & deck overlooking wooded area & pond.
-In-suite restroom for you & your clients
-Freshly painted, designer colors & natural light throughout
-2nd-story suite, elevator, ample parking available
-AVAILABLE: As soon as Dec 15, 2010 through Jan 2012