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Summer Home Maintenance Tips
The warm summer months area here, along with heat waves, storms, insects/pests, and other nuisances that threaten the integrity of your home. Read on for helpful tips to keep your home in great shape all season long. Prioritize Energy Efficiency Summer cooling bills can climb quickly with the outdoor temperatures. Make sure your home is optimized to use the least amount of energy while keeping you and your family comfortable inside. Consider sun and UV blocking window film that applies to the inside of windows quickly and easily. There is no adhesive or mess to deal with, since they apply by “static cling”, and can easily be removed when no…
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No Longer In Love With Your Home? It Might Be Time to Sell
According to a study done by the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American moves more than 11 times in their life. It happens… as we move through different stages of our lives, our housing needs change. The recent pandemic has also changed the way we use and view our homes. Working from home didn’t necessarily end with the pandemic restrictions and more people than ever have continued to work remotely from a home office. If you’ve been wondering if it might be time to make a move, here are some things to consider. Have you outgrown your home? If you find yourself struggling to find space for all of your…
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Tips for Selling Your Home During the Holidays
The Holiday Season is not typically your first choice when it comes to choosing a time to put your home on the market. However, sometimes other circumstances dictate when you have to sell your home, like moving for a job. Some people actually see the benefit of selling their home during the holidays – competition is usually lower, for example. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself putting your home on the market this Holiday season, here are some tips to achieve and quick and stress-free sale. Scale Back Your Holiday Decorating If you typically go all out when decking your halls, consider keeping it simple if you’re trying to…
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Insulate Yourself Against Rising Heating Costs This Winter
We’re now used to hearing the word “inflation” on a regular basis. It seems to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind these days. There seems to be nothing that is immune to the rising costs associated with our current economic climate and heating costs are certainly no exception. Home heating bills are expected to increase significantly this winter, due to a combination of higher fuel costs and a predicted colder winter. The Department of Energy has estimated that those using natural gas could see a 28% increase in their heating bills, while those using heating oil could see a 27% increase, and those using electric heat could see a…
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Housing Market Predictions for 2022
The past 12 months have been quite a roller coaster for the housing market in our area, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the upcoming year. Record home prices, low inventory, and buyer competition were the themes that dominated our market. This caused many would-be home buyers (and sellers) to hold off on a new home until things calmed down. Experts say that market conditions should even out in the coming months, giving those that lost out a better chance. Home Prices Aggressive home price appreciation was seen throughout 2021. This caused concern for some people, who feared we were on the verge of another “housing bubble”,…
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Not Home for the Holidays? Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away
Sometimes, going “home” for the holidays means leaving your own home empty for a period of time. With the number of people who travel over the holidays, it’s a prime time for would-be thieves to take advantage of your absence. Follow these tips to keep your most valuable asset safe while you’re away. SAFETY FIRST The risk of a break-in is only one consideration if you’ll be traveling in the upcoming weeks. Fire safety is a big concern during the holiday season. Dried out Christmas Trees make great kindling for fires – so make sure that yours is well away from heat registers or radiators, and unplug any lights that…
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Is a Condo Right For You?
There are pros and cons to owning a condo instead of a single family home. They aren’t the right fit for everyone, but many homeowners have found their “happy medium” in condo ownership. Read on to learn about some of the advantages of condo living. There’s a Style for Everyone When many people think of a condo, they think of an “apartment style” unit in a large complex. This can be off-putting for people who don’t want a lot of neighbors, or worry about the noise associated in large multi-unit communities. Condos come in many different styles though. There are the traditional multi-unit buildings, similar to apartments, but there are…
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Fall Home Maintenance Tips
The seasons are changing, and with those changes come new challenges for your home. Falling leaves, colder temps, and upcoming winter storms can pose major problems for your home if you’re not prepared. Starting your Fall home maintenance now will ensure that you and your home are ready for what’s to come. Clean Out Gutters If your gutters are clogged, it can lead to problems with water backing up that can’t drain properly. This can result in damage to your home’s exterior and even water in your basement. Keep your roof’s drainage system flowing by removing leaf litter and other debris that accumulates over time. Installing leaf guards on your…
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Community Spotlight: Waunakee
The village of Waunakee has grown significantly since its early days as a train stop for North Western’s expansion. It’s now a vibrant community, just minutes to Madison and all the city has to offer. It’s claim to fame is that it’s the only Waunakee in the world! Waunakee is located 13 miles north of Madison, and is close to Hwy 19, Hwy 133, and interstate I/90&I/94 making commuting easy to almost anywhere. It’s also conveniently close to the Dane County Regional Airport, world class healthcare, UW Madison, and state/county parks for recreation. Waunakee is a great community for those looking fo the amenities of a larger city, with the…
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Non-Profit Spotlight: Clean Lakes Alliance
The Clean Lakes Alliance is a local organization, founded in 2010, that is dedicated to the preservation of our area lakes. They adhere to the motto “healthy lakes, healthy communities”. Madison is known for its lakes, which shape our city’s infrastructure and provide countless recreation activities for area residents. Our lakes are central to our community and taking care of them is a collective responsibility we should all share. According to the Clean Lakes Alliance their mission is “to continue building a community of people, businesses, organizations, and government agencies dedicated to improving and protecting water quality in the Yahara River Watershed and its lakes”. They accomplish their mission through…
