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!

each week, Distinctive Properties compiles data and post the results on it’s website and this blog.  Here is out stats for 1-09-2012; http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/01.09.2012RealEstateStats.pdf

Time to watch out for the Kiddos making their way to various schools throughout the Tri-Cities. This can be a stressful time for everyone. . . but exciting also. Many children look forward to seeing their buds from the previous school year. Many parents look forward to a little respite from the hectic pace of summer activities. Whatever kept you busy during the break from school, Distinctive Properties, Inc. continued to buy and sell a wide variety of listings for the residents of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Burbank, Finley and all the surrounding communities and neighborhoods of the Tri-Cities Region. Check out our latest weekly statistics by clicking on the link below. If you have housing questions or need to buy or sell, visit with the professionals at Distintive Properties, Inc. We’re happy to be of service.

http://www.distinctiveprop.com/files/files/8.30.2010Stats.pdf

The Fiserv’s Report came out recently and indicated that Kennewick topped the nations growth of housing prices over the past 3 years, with values by 8.9 percent and are expected to continue growth by approximately 3.4 percent by next summer.

Jobs in our Tri City area are strong and steady which acquaint to more homes being sold to accommodate those folks coming into the area for the jobs, particularly those in the Hanford area or associated businesses.

Homes in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and our neighboring towns, are selling quickly, with the market under $200,000 being the fastest sellers.  New homes are being built very slowly due to the restrictions being placed by lenders, but some of the more established builders are still building new homes.

Unemployment in our Tri Cities area is among the state’s lowest and this has also contributed to the steady growth of home sales. Home values have increased, however, the inventory of homes for sale is shrinking because of the influx of new families to our area and the first-time homebuyer credit has afforded new buyers the opportunity to get into a home with the $8,000 tax credit.

If you are looking to relocate to the wonderful, fun and affordable Tri Cities, we’d be more than happy to assist your in your real estate needs. Please take a look at our website, where you can view any home currently listed in the MLS or you can input the parameters you seek in a home and have automated listings sent to your email address, the moment a home fitting your needs comes on the market. 

We at Distinctive Properties, Inc., are here to serve you and help you find the home of your dreams.  www.distinctiveprop.com