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February 3, 2015 by smeranda Leave a Comment

Sustainable Ways To Heat Your Home and Save Energy This Winter

warmhome-300x228With colder-than-normal temperatures being forecast during the winter months, many homeowners are searching for alternatives to reduce the cost with heating. Here are some of the best methods to keep your family warm during the coldest parts of the season in any location.

Seeing The Light

Opening or raising window blinds allows sunshine to come into the rooms that heat up those areas. Sunlight is absolutely free to use if you have areas in your home where you can use it to your advantage. A home that faces the rising sun can benefit from capturing the heat build-up from sunlight for several hours each day during morning hours. In the late afternoons, that same home can catch additional heat build-up from the sun as it sets in the western sky.Using the Sun and solar panels is another cheap alternative to rising energy costs over the long term. Panels can be purchased that are mobile and easily moved to areas around the home where you might need that energy source. An array of panels can be purchased to provide free solar energy to your home. An investment in both solar panel technology and infrared heaters can give any homeowner years of warm, safe heat for free directly from the sun. The advantages of solar energy are that it can be used for other electrical needs such as cooking, using appliances and operating home lighting. According to U.S. Government statistics, more people are becoming aware of the advantages of solar energy and savings. Homeowners can cut electricity use in half by the installation and use of solar heating according to U.S. statistics. Many people utilize solar power to completely eliminate the need for traditional electricity from the power grid. This can save thousands of dollars per year wasted on electricity that can pay for the purchase of solar panel arrays. The advantage is being solely independent from electrical corporations and having a system paid for within a few years.

Going Back In Time

Energy efficient wood heating stoves that comply with EPA standards have made a big comeback as an alternative for homeowners to heat their homes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, modern wood burning stoves can save homeowners over half the costs of heating homes with gas or electricity. Savings can add up into thousands of dollars each year by using these wood-heating devices. These stoves have specially designed catalyst converters built into the stove that reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere. They also distribute heat thoroughly throughout the stove to allow maximum heating efficiency in large areas of the home. Homeowners that have a large property area can create their own fuel supply for stoves by cutting timber themselves. With electrical companies constantly clearing power lines free of timber and weather related fallen timber, there is always a source to use as a fuel supply. Insulating and maintaining your home is an important key to adequately winterize it for cold weather. Wrapping pipes in insulation will produce fewer broken pipes and energy loss through freezing weather conditions. The installation of high efficiency light bulbs will help reduce overall electrical costs. By just making a few improvements in the efficiency of your home, thousands of dollars can be saved on an annual basis. If you live in a rural area and use a well for your water supply, the addition of a solar power array and wood heating can give you independence from utility companies. The benefits of being totally independent from others in your everyday activities are something everyone should think about.

For more information, please go to Modernize.com.

Real estate is already booming for the New Year!  Last year was the busiest real estate market that we have had in years.  It is never too early to get your home ready for the market or for buyers to call me to discuss the Spring market.  Don’t miss out on lower home prices & interest rates below 4%.  Call me for details today! 314-691-1320

Filed Under: Uncategorized

January 6, 2015 by smeranda Leave a Comment

Is America ready for the Smart Home?

smartenergy_1

 

A new Smart-Home study recently released from Lowe’s found more than 70 percent of smartphone users in America, wish they could control something in their home from their mobile device without getting out of bed. Lowe’s 2014 Smart Home Survey examined Americans’ attitudes and experiences with home automation, with a particular look at the most important features and top reasons for owning smart-home products.The data reveals that a majority of Americans are generally favorable to smart homes, with 50 percent preferring do-it-yourself solutions, and nearly two-thirds (62 percent) finding the smart home most beneficial for monitoring safety and security. In general, Americans feel positively toward products that will make their homes safer, more energy efficient and easier to manage.

https://agent-edition.net/Default.aspx?ArticleID=273&d=cyCE8VxP65h%2FQlFYolI60w%3D%3D

Filed Under: Home Safety, Home Technology, Smart Home

December 9, 2014 by smeranda

Foreclosures and Short Sales Responsible for Lowest Sale Levels Since 2011

should-you-buy-a-foreclosed-home-1Short sales and foreclosure sales account for lowest sale levels since 2011.  A recent report of September and Q3 2014 Residential and Foreclosure Sales shows the US residential properties sold at an estimated annual pace of 4,402,741 in September, a decrease of 1% since August and a decrease of 19% since last year.  September was the 30th consecutive month where U.S. median home prices increased on an annual basis, and the 15 percent annual increase is the biggest annual percentage increase since October 2005. Short sales nationwide accounted for 3.8 percent of all sales in the third quarter, down from 4.2 percent of all sales in the second quarter and down from 4.7 percent of all sales in the third quarter of 2013 to the lowest level since the first quarter of 2011. Distressed properties sold 37 percent below non-distressed properties in September. The median sales price of a distressed residential property—in foreclosure or bank-owned when sold—was $130,000 nationwide in September, 37 percent below the median non-distressed sales price of $205,000.Even as the share of distressed sales decreases, the average discount on distressed properties continues to be substantial because the primary factors driving that discount are still in place. Distressed properties are typically in poor condition and have a highly motivated seller.

https://rismedia.com/2014-10-28/short-sales-and-foreclosure-sales-account-for-lowest-sale-levels-since-2011/

Filed Under: Foreclosures, Short-Sales

November 29, 2014 by smeranda

724 Cedar Glen Dr


For more details:
https://www.visualtour.com/showvt.asp?t=3487062

724 Cedar Glen Dr
Weldon Spring, MO 63304
$209,900, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,255 SF, MLS# 14064189

Super home in popular location, close to I-64/40 and newly open Page Extension addition! Four big bedrooms, master suite is 21 X 13 w/ large walkin closet and big master bath w/ step-up tub and new flooring. Lovely family room w/ gleaming wood laminate flooring, stone fireplace is gas, wetbar, mounted TV & bracket w/ built-in 5.1 speakers staying. All 3 mounted TV’s & brackets will remain in home. O/S breafast area has garden window, separate formal dining & living room. Kitchen has lots of counter space, new top on stove, stainless refrig is staying. Wood fluting, crown molding & chair rail in dining & living rooms. Beautiful backyard w/ lots of green space & trees, enormous deck & large patio off the walkout basement. New roof 2009, most of interior recently painted, newer vinyl siding, o/s garage, Andersen windows!

Presented By:
Sandra Meranda, Coldwell Banker Gundaker
314-691-1320
https://illgetyoumoving.com

View My Inventory:
https://www.visualtour.com/inventory.asp?u=87429

Filed Under: New Listings Tagged With: 63304, 724 Cedar Glen Dr, Coldwell Banker Gundaker, home for sale, homes for sale in Weldon Sprin, real estate, Sandra Meranda, Video Tour, Virtual Tour, VisualTour, Weldon Spring MO 63304

November 17, 2014 by smeranda Leave a Comment

925 Mallory Dr


For more details:
https://www.visualtour.com/showvt.asp?t=3481240

925 Mallory Dr
St Charles, MO 63303
$175,000, 4 bed, 2.0 bath, 1,795 SF, MLS# 14062674

Beautiful 1.5 story home w/ so many updates! Gorgeous remodeled kitchen has granite countertops, Cherry cabinets, custom slate backsplash, stainless appls, gas stove, ceramic tile floor, pantry cabinet, stainless refrigerator stays. Spacious formal dining room, huge living room has gleaming wood laminate flooring, French doors out to covered patio, fenced yard, shed and playset stay. Lovely remodeled bath on main level has travertine tile all around, dual shower heads, vanity w granite top, tile floor. Two bedrooms on main level, two huge bedrooms upstairs w 2nd remodeled bath w/ marble shower and vanity top. Finished lower level w/ large family room, newer wood laminate flooring, awesome workshop room, separate room w/ plumbing for future bath(has toilet). Newer hi-efficiency HVAC 2008, electric panel 2012, sewer lateral 2013, washer & dryer stay, newer dbl-pane windows & vinyl siding.

Presented By:
Sandra Meranda, Coldwell Banker Gundaker
314-691-1320
https://illgetyoumoving.com

View My Inventory:
https://www.visualtour.com/inventory.asp?u=87429

Filed Under: New Listings Tagged With: 63303, 925 Mallory Dr, Coldwell Banker Gundaker, home for sale, homes for sale in St Charles, real estate, Sandra Meranda, St Charles MO 63303, Video Tour, Virtual Tour, VisualTour

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Contact Sandra

Cell: 314-691-1320
Office: 636-946-2020
Email Sandra

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Alliance Real Estate, St. Charles
2171 Bluestone Dr.
St. Charles, MO 63303

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