Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

The Canyon Lakes POA meeting is being held on Tuesday, February 17 at 7 PM at the Benton PUD Hall at 2721 W. 10th Avenue.   On the agenda is approval of the new CC&R’s and ARC’s Guidelines, board approval of the restated Master Declaration and the 2009 Budget forecast.  Additionally, Long-Range Planning will present their future plans for Canyon Lakes.  The meeting will also review reserves for the long-range plans presented.   A big turnout is expected, so please show up and take part in your Property Owner’s Association.

Your Canyon Lakes Realtor, 

Sharon Sasser Warren                                                                                    Ph:  (509) 551-4393                                                                   swarren2@charter.net

Combining this winter’s cold temperatures with economic concerns about saving money on heating bills means it’s a good time to audit your home for energy saving ideas.  Here are some ideas to get a big return on energy savings:

• Did you know that 10 to 50 percent of energy is lost through walls, ceilings and floors due to inadequate insulation?  The first place to look for missing or inadequate insulation is in the attic.  Where the interior of walls and ceilings is easily accessible, adding insulation can be a relatively inexpensive way to get a big return on energy savings.  
• Sealing the leaks from the heating space into the attic dramatically reduces heating costs and also limits the amount of moisture seeping into the atic. 
• Installing child proof electrical outlet caps is an excellent way of reducing air movement into the wall cavity, particularly in outlets along outside walls.
• Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save money on your heating bills by keeping the temperature lower when no one is home.
• If it’s time to replace any kitchen appliances, buy ones with the Energy Star label and reap energy bill savings.

Your Canyon Lakes Realtor,

Sharon Sasser Warren,

Distinctive Properties, Inc.                                                                        

(509) 551-4393                                                                         swarren2@charter.net

In today’s economy it’s nice to find ways to save extra money.  Even with gas prices down, you can still save money and reduce stress behind the wheel.  The way you drive affects the amount of gas you use.  Did you know you can lose almost 25 percent in fuel efficiency by the way you drive? 

First, don’t accelerate quickly.  Imagine you have an egg under the gas pedal.  If you push down too hard, you’re going to break that egg.  The second way to improve efficiency is by not stopping too quickly.  Every time you hit the brakes, you’ve turned gasoline into nothing but brake dust, tire tread and heat.  Back off the gas the moment you see a red light in the distance and you’ll conserve fuel.  It’s far more efficient to coast to a stop.  Also, lighten the load.  Every 50 pounds you carry in your trunk decreases fuel efficiency by 1 percent.  Proper tire inflation is important, too.  You use 20 percent of your gas energy overcoming the rolling resistance of your tires.  As long as you keep your tires full, you’ll use less gas.  And, if you’ve hit a curb in a parking lot, have your alignment checked.   

Finally, have a strategy for arranging appointments to make your drive more efficient.  Plan your route so that you go from one neighborhood to another in a nice continuous circle.  No zigzagging.  Also, don’t always rely on your GPS device, because it won’t give you the big picture.  Sometimes it’s best to get out a map.   When you get on the freeway, take your time.  The peak efficiency for a car is about 45 MPH.  Every 10 miles per hour you go over 60 is like paying an extra 50 cents per gallon for gas.  Use cruise control only on flat surfaces.  And, while you’re driving around the Tri-Cities, if you see a For Sale sign on a house that interests you, call me…

Your Canyon Lakes Realtor,

Sharon Sasser Warren, Realtor                         
   8022 W. Grandridge Blvd.    
   Kennewick, WA  99336

The loss of a loved one is never an easy experience for a family, and people are often understandably distracted and overwhelmed with things to take care of. Unfortunately, scam artists often use the obituaries in the newspaper as a way to target potential victims. Here are some tips to help you or your loved ones avoid scams during times of loss: 

Protect Your Home: If funeral service dates and locations are listed in the newspaper obituary, scam artists will be able to tell when you will be away from home. And with friends and relatives visiting to pay their respects, neighbors may assume someone entering your house has permission to do so. To be safe, either ask a friend or neighbor to house sit while you’re away, or let your neighbors know your plans so they can look out for suspicious visitors. 

Know Who’s Calling: If you have caller ID on your home phone, make good use of it and don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. This will help you avoid calls from companies or individuals who are running cons. Remember: Any companies or people who pressure you during difficult times probably aren’t looking out for your best interests. 

Be Mindful of What You Pay:  As you are going through papers, pay all bills that you know are legitimate like the mortgage, utilities, credit cards, and car payments. Do not pay anything from unknown parties or companies, including invoices, investment opportunities, calls for orders placed, or calls for money owed. 

Get a Second Opinion: Sorting through paperwork can be overwhelming during times of loss. Consider asking a friend, family member, or even a trusted professional like an accountant or attorney to review any invoices or claims before you send a payment. 

Your Canyon Lakes Realtor,

SHARON SASSER WARREN                                                                                                                                                   Distinctive Properties, Inc.                                                                                                                                                        (509) 551-4393                                                                                                                                           swarren2@charter.net

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