Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

The temperatures have been in the teens for the past few days.  This morning it was 16 degrees, but I didn’t have to scrape any ice of my vehicle so the air seems to be fairly dry.  However…..forecasters are saying there’s a likelihood of snow accumulation in the valleys of Eastern Washington.  

Two years ago, I came home from a long day at work to find my driveway running with water and a sheet of ice beneath.  As I clicked the garage door opener and watched the door rise, there was a cascade of water falling down across the white and blue checkerboard pattern, glistening in the light of the motion detectors.   A pipe, in the attic over the garage (un-insulated) burst when the temperatures were below freezing for several days.  With the low temps we experiencing here in the Tri Cities, I am making sure I am winter ready this year!   Are you? 

 Here are a few tips to stay safe and warm during snow and icy conditions.     

Let’s start with the most obvious…..Prevent Freezing Pipes!  Insulate your homes pipes with proper insulation or even newspapers and plastic and allow your faucets to drip a little during cold weather to prevent them from freezing. Even at a trickle of running water helps prevent frozen pipes. 

Be sure you know where your water shut off valve is located.

Avoid drafts and save on heating costs with a check of windows and doors.   How is the caulking and weather-stripping?  Does it need to be replaced?  Installing storm windows or cover your windows with plastic to keep heat in. 

Clean out rain gutters, repair leaky roofs and cut away tree branches that could fall on your house or outdoor buildings during a wind storm.

Be Safe: Avoid any fuel-burning equipment indoors.  Any fuel burning equipment should be vented to the outside.   If you are burning any fuel source, please keep a fire extinguisher close by.  A house fire can be devastating.

When driving, practice safety for you and your passengers.  Allow additional driving time so you are not rushing. 

Take it easy.  Slow your speed, braking and acceleration during your travels.  Don’t use the cruise control.

Don’t Tailgate.  The last thing you need to do is step on the brakes in the ice.  

Keep a blanket and some protein bars in the vehicle in the event of an emergency. 

 if you have any other tips to contribute, please comment below! 

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY JANUARY!

The weather in the Tri-Cities has been beautiful.  Summer is trying to hang on as best it can!  It’s the perfect weather to be out shopping for a new house!! 

Check out the latest Real Estate Statistics from Distinctive Properties!!!  http://bit.ly/bZp9og

A Spaghetti Feed to raise funds to send care packages to our troops, is being sponsored by Washington Operation Thank You, a Tri-Cities based non-profit troop support organization. The “feed” will be held at the Moose Lodge in West Richland, 5828 WestVan Giesen from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday March 27th.  For ticket information, call 946-4065, or visit their website: www.waoperationthankyou.com

Mark your calendars for April 10th & 11th this year – if you are in the market for a new home,  the Tri City Association of Realtors is sponsoring an Open House weekend in conjunction with the Realtors National Open House Weekend. The homes will be open somewhere in the timeframe of 11 a.m until 4 pm on both days. Last year’s event was a success with over 170 homes holding Open House events. Homes will be throughout Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland.

The words “jobless recovery” and “recession” have been tossed around a great deal over the past year or so, but here in the Tri Cities community leaders are delighted to announce that our area leads the nation in job growth during these difficult times. Garner Economics, a consulting firm from Atlanta published a report for March indicating that the Tri Cities is at the top of the list for the nation as far as job growth is concerned.  From January to June 2009, the Tri Cities was one of 9 metrolpolitan areas compared for positive job growth. The report also indicates that the Tri Cities actually was a top performing economy for the entire year 2009. This writer believes that this proves that the folks who have worked so diligently over the past couple of decades to diversify the Tri Cities, have been very successful and kudos to them!

2008 was a very tough year for golf course owner Michelle Marcum, as she watched the club house to her course go up in flames.  Today, the new clubhouse becomes “as a Phoenix”  rising from the ashes once again. Today is the groundbreaking day and Marcum is asking everyone to come and join her today at the ceremony and reception at 11:00 am at 4000 Fallon Drive in West Richland. There will be local officials speaking at the ceremony. 

Best of luck Michelle and may 2010 be a wonderful year for you!!