Caulk and seal air leaks: Look for leaks around plumbing lines, recessed lighting, electricity wires, windows, attics, and crawlspaces. Sealing off these leaks can save you up to $220/year per U.S. EPA. Consult an HVAC contractor: Have a professional inspect all the ductwork in your home and make any repairs
Continue readingDawn Dause Blog
Helpful and Informative information. Homes for sale, helpful real estate information, and also what is going on in the community. Information about Plainfield, Shorewood, Minooka, Lockport, Joliet, and other local areas.
Back To School Tips For Parents & Back To School Slow Cooker Recipe
Meet the new teacher: Take advantage of any back to school nights or meet and greet sessions with your child’s new teacher. If face to face contact is not available, try to find the teacher’s picture on the school website so that your child can place a face with
Continue reading7 Tips To Get Your Home Market Ready
Keep it neutral: Keep colors soft and light Make necessary repairs: If something in your home needs fixing-fix it! De-clutter: Too much in your home takes away from buyer’s seeing your home’s full potential Curb appeal: Make sure the exterior of your home is in good shape; draw buyers in! Think about updating
Continue reading5 Reasons You Shouldn’t For Sale By Owner
There are too many people to negotiate with: If you sell on your own, you will need to be prepared to negotiate with: the buyer who wants the best deal, the buyer’s agent who is only looking out for the buyer’s best interest, the buyer’s attorney, the home inspection
Continue reading10 Home Projects That Can Increase Value
New front door: Replacing a front door with a new steel door costs about $1,162 with a 96.6% return Kitchen updates: A minor kitchen remodel costs about $18,856 with an 82.7% return Bathroom remodel: The average remodel costs around $16,128 with a 75.2% return. If a remodel is not
Continue readingWhat are Comps?
Comps, or comparable sales, are homes in the same area and very similar in size, condition, and features, as the home you are attempting to buy or sell. Location is the most important: The market is based on location, so when trying to determine the value of a home it’s
Continue reading5 “Nevers” To Avoid Scams
Never skip a month of going over your financial statements. Never give out credit card info, debit card info, or your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. Never buy a product that makes unreasonable claims. Never contribute to charities that you have never heard of; check with the Federal
Continue reading6 Money Saving Tips That Really Work
Sort your groceries: After grocery shopping and before checking out, get a second cart and take out all of the items from your first cart that are things you just want, such as chips, ice cream, cookies, etc. Once you do this with your entire cart, add up how much
Continue reading5 Ways To Make Your Kitchen Last Longer
Choose quality appliances: Do your research prior to purchasing appliances and choose brands/models that don’t just look good but that also have a good track record. Choose durable surfaces: You may need to spend more, but using surfaces that stand up to the test of time are worth it in the
Continue reading$500 In Energy Savings In 5 Rooms
Herald News $215 in the living room: Replace the 5 most frequently used incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to save $65 a year. Also, installing an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat can assist homeowners in controlling the temperature when they are away from home and sleeping at night
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