Whole House Generators Save Your Snow Days

As I sit here on a November day in 39° F weather, I'm reminded of the unpredictable winters we have in Richmond, Virginia.  I believe it's going to be back in the 60's by the end of the week.

At my old house this crazy weather put a huge damper on our happiness.  We were not at ease because our power went out all of the time.  We should have considered installing a whole-house generator by these guys.

Courtesy of www.thesolarbiz.com

Every time I show a home with one of these reliable systems, I can see how relaxed the clients become.  Having a generator is a huge relief because you know you'll be ok. 

When the power goes out and your home is the only one without power, the sound of buzzing generators fills the air.  You're reminded that you need one of those next year.

The cool thing about these lifesavers is that you can find one that is affordable too.  No more freezing nights because you ran out of firewood.  You can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the morning without having to dig yourself out of snow to get to the closest convenience store.  Your kids can eat some warm oatmeal in the kitchen while you catch up on the news on your television.

We learned our lesson from that old house. Packing up the car for a week just to spend that time at the grandparents' house 10 minutes away got very old that fifth trip.  Hearing about how fun the snow-covered hill at our neighbor's house made us sad.  The kids wouldn't have memories of the snow while living under our roof.  Instead we were stuffed into one room all five of us including the dog when we could have been in our own beds, sleeping under our own roof, drinking coffee out of our own mugs and eating oatmeal heated by our own microwave.

6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer For Your Home

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  6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home

  Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don’t let the best slip through your fingers. Read

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Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Coolest Things You Can Find at a Yard Sale

Yard sales are win-win events for everyone: whether you're the person holding the sale looking to make a bit of money, the passer-by who happens upon a great purchase or simply someone who likes to browse and shop for unusual items.

From the buyers' perspective, you never really know what you're going to get. It's not like going to a sports footwear shop to buy a pair of running shoes; with yard sales, you can happen upon just about anything. And, of course, you'll usually find some great bargains because most everything will be old and second-hand.

When talking about what you might find at a yard sale, it's hard to get into specifics. It really depends on what the person is selling. Nevertheless, let's look at some of the interesting things you're likely to find at a yard sale.

The more you go to, the more likely you'll find something of real interest.

Books

Frankly, you're always going to find books at a yard sale. When searching through the piles of books people are selling, you might well come across a real gem. An old favorite from your childhood, a classic novel for just a buck, or even old comics and magazines that bring back memories. Buying and reselling books is huge, so this is another great reason to browse the book piles when you next stumble across a sale. If you are reselling, be sure to look out for stains, water damage and other issues that might compromise its worth.

Electronics

If you can find electronics that are under a year old, they'll still have all the features that you'll need, but will come much, much cheaper than buying them new. Not everyone likes to use eBay to sell high-end electronics, largely because of the hassle of arranging delivery/pick-up. With a yard sale, you might find a big TV, stereo system or games console going cheap, and often people don't mind losing a bit of money if they can have their old electronics taken away there and then. When shopping, however, be sure to test any electronic item out to make sure it works first. Remember, you won't get a guarantee or warranty from the seller!

Clothes

Take a trip to a yard sale in a well-to-do neighborhood and you might find some hidden gems on the clothing rack. Brand-name clothes are easy enough to find, especially for women, as styles change so quickly with the seasons. Also, if you need specialist work clothes, you might get lucky. Nurses, for example, will often sell their Dickies scrubs to other nurses or those looking for fancy dress outfits. If you are shopping for clothes, steer clear of those that smell of smoke, and those with stains and tears.

Kids 

Yard sales are great to shop for kids' clothing, kids' games and kids' toys. Kids grow so quickly, physically and mentally, that their old clothes and toys will soon be thrown to the wayside. This is great for parents who are expecting a new youngster, or those looking for gifts to give to others.

Sports/Exercise Equipment

People buy sports and exercise equipment with good intentions, only to see those intentions slide away. Consequently, they sell the equipment, but they often prefer to sell locally rather than face the expensive shipping charges associated with larger items. Some exercise equipment, weights for example, are very heavy, so selling locally is generally the best option, even if it means taking less. This gives you a great opportunity to find some bargains. Just make sure you use what you buy, otherwise it'll be you selling them on at your own yard sale before too long.

Conclusion

Finding a local yard sale can either come by chance or be a planned event. Serious resellers will scour local sales diligently, picking up some great bargains to sell for a profit. If you're simply looking for a great item for yourself, however, you'll be sure to see some of the above when you next stumble across a local sale.