December tends to be when most of us are scrambling to ensure everything is in place for the coming holidays. But taking extra time to ensure you – and your home – are prepared can go a long way.
In a recent National Association of Realtors article on Houselogic.com, Stacey Freed provided a great checklist to help make sure you’re prepared for (almost) everything this holiday season might bring, along with some tips on saving money for next year.
Clean light bulbs and fixtures
Here are two great reasons to clean your light bulbs: You want as much light in your house as you can get as the days grow shorter and you’ll save money.
Dirty bulbs shed 30% less light than clean ones, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Wipe bulbs with a cloth dampened by a mix of 1 ounce of dish soap, one-fourth cup of white vinegar and three cups of water.
Get to this task in early December so you’re ready for the curtain fall on the shortest day of this year – Dec. 21.
Evaluate homeowner’s insurance
The holidays. You love them but they do seem to eat up more cash than other times of the year. Sure, you can scrounge around for change under your couch cushions, but that’s not going to offset much. So why not get a home insurance checkup?
Call your agent to go over the type of coverage you have, how much you really need and how you can lower your premiums before your next monthly installment.
Pack a home emergency kit
The last thing you want during the holidays is for an emergency to chill your family’s cheer. Prepare for power outages and weather-related emergencies with an easy-to-find emergency kit.
Some items to include are bottled water, a hand-crank radio, a flashlight, batteries, a portable charger for your phone, warm blankets and a first-aid kit to patch up any nicks or scrapes.
Singing carols ‘round the flashlight might not be ideal but it’ll beat trying to celebrate in the dark.
Buy holiday lights (after Dec. 25)
It’s tough to think about next Christmas when you’re still stuffed from a holiday dinner with all the trimmings. But think you must if you want to save on next year’s holiday celebration. From Dec. 26 through year’s end, big box stores try to clear the shelves of all that glitters.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, remember that Realtors are glad to help our clients and community get the most enjoyment out of their property investment. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Affiliate members who represent related industries work alongside these Realtors, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control services and insurance providers.