Make the Most of Your Realtor!

The common perception is that Realtors “just sell houses”.  And while that is partially correct, there is so much more your Realtor can do for you.  Here are just a few of the additional services that the Worthington Hatcher Harbison Team offers free of charge:

Determine the value of your home.  Laura Harbison will tell you even if you're not a client.  She is happy to help homeowners figure out how much their homes are really worth.  Often, she has prepared a comparative market assessment for homeowners that purchased their home during the peak of the market a few years ago and they were able to use Laura’s assessment as proof to get a county tax break.

Find some help around the house.  Laura maintains a Preferred Vendor List, available to anyone who would like a copy.  Whether you need to be qualified for a loan, have your lawn mowed, your taxes prepared or your trim re-painted, Laura has compiled a list of reputable vendors to meet your needs.*

Be a friend for life.  A top-notch agent doesn't stop helping once the ink dries on the sales contract, but stays in touch with clients and their needs.  For Laura, selling the house is only part of it.  She is always there for her clients when they need her.

* The Worthington Hatcher Harbison Team, Laura Harbison LTD & Realty Executives of Nevada cannot be held responsible for any work of service provided by these businesses. It is suggested that you thoroughly investigate and business before contracting their services.

BEAT THE HEAT

As the temperature rises, so does the cost of cooling your home, especially if you use an air conditioner.  Here are some extra tips to stay cool in the hot summer weather:

1.       Stay hydrated with lots of water.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these promote dehydration.

2.      Close your blinds and curtains during the day to block the sun’s heat.  Open the windows at night to let the cooler air inside.

3.      Cool your house down with fans.

4.      When possible, avoid using heat sources such as the oven, stove and dishwasher.  The most common sources of internal heat are appliances, electronic devices, and lighting.

5.      Take advantage of the shade.  Daytime air temperatures can be 3 to 6 degrees cooler in tree-shaded  neighborhoods.

6.      Check window and door frames for any hot air leaking in and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.

7.      Replace you’re A/C unit’s intake filter once a month to allow for greater airflow.

8.      Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom when showering to remove the humid air.

9.      During peak heat hours, find a cool spot to run some errands or catch up with friends.  Go to the mall, coffee shop, library, community pool or movie theater.

10.   Don’t forget your pets!  Our furry friends can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburns too.  Make sure they always have fresh water and shade.  Don’t over-exercise them and never leave them alone in a parked vehicle. 

STAY COOL AND HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!