The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog

All owners of Mobile Eastern Shore homes recognize that keeping cool in hot summer months means paying higher utility bills. However, in the face of the ever-rising cost of living, family budgets strained by the spike in utility use, and the awareness of the need for environmental efficiency, the following money and energy saving tips can certainly help you manage both your comfort level and your finances this summer.

AIR CONDITIONING:

• Keep it off as long as possible.
• Turn the thermostat up before leaving for work or for a vacation. You can save 1-3% per degree above 72.
• Invest in an inexpensive programmable thermostat that will begin cooling your Mobile Eastern Shore home before you arrive home after an absence.
• Use lights only when necessary in order to keep room temperatures cooler. Remember that LED lights use less energy and don’t produce heat.
• Close blinds, shades, and curtains on the sunny side of your house.
• Replace AC filters regularly. Saves another 1-2%.

REFRIGERATOR:

• Cool hot foods before putting them into the refrigerator.
• Be aware that a full refrigerator keeps it cooler. Reasons? The solid food retains the cold, and the tightly-packed items keep the cold air from rushing out an open door.
• Refrain from opening the door too often.
• Store wet foods in tightly-sealed containers to lessen the strain on the condenser.
• Clean the condenser coils and check to ensure that the magnetic rubber seals around the door are tight.

DISHWASHER:

• Save water and energy by doing only a full load.
• Select a shorter cycle.
• Let dishes air-dry.

WATER:

• Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.
• When taking a shower to cool off, using cool rather than hot water will save energy and reduce the effect of humidity.
• Wash clothes in cooler water and rinse in cold.

COOKING:

Continue Reading »

Tags: energy saving tips, judy niemeyer, keeping cool, mobile eastern shore home, mobile eastern shore real estate

As the real estate market and economic conditions change, so do strategies for buying and selling homes. Listed below are a few recommendations to help both buyers and sellers of Mobile Eastern Shore real estate be successful.

SELLERS:

1. Choose a successful, aggressive real estate agent.

You will want someone who is familiar with your neighborhood and will be proactive in selling your Mobile Eastern Shore real estate. Ask in advance about his/her plan for marketing your property and make sure it includes, at the very least, an MLS listing, on-line and newspaper advertising, and regularly scheduled open houses.

2. Remember the importance of curb appeal in attracting would-be buyers.

3. De-personalize and de-clutter your home.

Put away family photos and prized collections. Clear countertops. Potential buyers need to be able to envision themselves, not you, in your home and clearly view the favorable features of the property without being distracted by too much “stuff.”

4. Hire a professional appraiser.

An “expert” third party opinion is quite useful in supporting your asking price.

5. Be realistic about pricing your Mobile Eastern Shore real estate.

Look at recent comps, listen to your realtor’s advice, and be competitive. Don’t let your emotions interfere with price negotiations and understand that a “designer décor” doesn’t make the home worth more.

6. Offer incentives to attract buyers.

Such items might include helping defray closing costs or moving expenses, making repairs, replacing appliances and/or carpeting, etc. You should also consider providing a home warranty program for the first year.

7. Be flexible.

You certainly don’t want to lose a buyer because of a settlement date or a request for a conveyance of furniture, tools, draperies, etc. Keep an open mind in your negotiations and be willing to meet the potential buyer halfway. 

BUYERS:

Continue Reading »

Tags: home buyting tips, home selling tips, judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore homes for sale, mobile eastyern shore real estate

Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

The Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast

Tags: judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore homes for sale, mobile eastern shore real estate podcast

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that over one million senior citizens are treated in emergency rooms for home-related injuries each year. CPSC believes that many of these accidents result from often-overlooked hazards which are easy to detect and correct. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems which may be present in your Mobile Eastern Shore home and use it periodically to re-check your residence.

 THE LIVING ROOM

        1. Arrange pieces of furniture and electrical cords so that you have unobstructed passageways.

        2. Remove electrical cords from under carpeting and furniture to prevent damage and/or fire hazards.

        3. Use tape, not staples, to attach cords to walls or floors.

        4. Place space heaters away from passageways and all flammable items such as curtains, furniture, and rugs. Carefully follow safety instructions when using the heater.

        5. Make sure that any wood-burning stove has been installed correctly and follow local codes. Allow proper ventilation for the room in which it is used.

BASEMENT/GARAGE/WORKSHOP AREAS

        1. Make sure that these areas are well lighted, especially if using power tools.

        2. Check that stair areas have lighting sufficient to allow you to see each step, particularly the edges, when you are using them to go up or down.

        3. Place light switches at both the top and the bottom of the stairs of your Mobile Eastern Shore home.

        4. Check the stability of handrails and the condition of the steps.

Continue Reading »

Tags: home safety, judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore home, mobile eastern shore homes for sale, mobile eastern shore real estate, safety checklist

Judy Niemeyer of Ashurst and Niemeyer presents:

The Mobile Eastern Shore Real Estate Podcast

June 2010: This month’s edition covers Mobile Eastern Shore real estate market activity and then and we’ll promote the value and importance of home inspections as the summer selling season approaches. Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning. Program length: approximately 8 1/2 minutes

Tags: judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore, podcast

       ”The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
                                                                      ~ Burton Hillis

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally and is no longer viewed as a purely religious holy day. It is now a time enjoyed by people of many countries and faiths, and there are numerous universally recognized icons which we associate with the yuletide. In fact, these symbols have become so commonly associated with the celebration of Christmas that when we see Santa riding on a reindeer, a mantle hung with stockings, coniferous green trees decorated with tinsel and ornaments, or houses festooned with evergreen wreaths and mistletoe, we know that the magic spirit of the season is upon us.   

The tradition of the Christmas stocking dates back to approximately 250B.C. in Asia Minor. There Nicholas, rich man who became a very generous Christian priest and a saint, is said to have secretly filled the stockings of three poor sisters with gold, thus giving them a dowry and allowing them to marry. Legend has it that after that “miracle,” neighbors of the fortunate women followed suit with their stockings, and the tradition slowly spread across the globe. Children throughout the world now hang stockings–or even put out shoes–to be filled with small gifts and food by Santa (Saint) Claus (Nicholas). Many people create their own stockings, personalizing them for themselves or for others and often providing a family activity that is fun for all. Find instructions for making your own Christmas fireplace stockings.

Along with the Christmas holly, laurel, rosemary, yews, boxwood bushes, and, of course the Christmas tree, mistletoe is an evergreen displayed during the Christmas season and symbolic of the eventual rebirth of vegetation that will occur in spring. But perhaps more than any other of the Christmas evergreens, it is a plant of which we are conscious only during the holidays. One day we’re kissing under the mistletoe, and next day we’ve forgotten all about it (the plant, that is, not the kisses).

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! 

And ’tis the season to decide what presents to give, to buy the presents, to wrap the presents, to mail and/or deliver the presents.  Whew!–time-consuming and somewhat exhausting unless you’ve discovered online shopping. Here are just a few ideas: EasyXmas.com, Gifts.com, Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Fragrance.net. There are hundreds of other sites just waiting to display their wares and ship them for you. Some even offer free holiday shipping or will do the gift wrapping for you.   

Want something a little different? Check out the top ten present picks for 2009.                                                   

             “May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!” 

Tags: christmas, judy niemeyer

You may have heard buzz around the term “universal design” in recent years, but do you know what it is or how it affects the Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate and construction markets?

According to Lowes.com, universal design is the creation of products and environments meant to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. The intent is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications and the built environment more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost. Universal Design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

Think this is some “far out” theory just now working its way into the “modern” world?  Think again:  if you’ve ever walked through an automatic door, you’ve experienced a version of Universal Design.   Likewise, a ramp or curb cut is just as welcome to someone with a baby stroller as it is to someone in a wheelchair.
Continue Reading »

Tags: judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore al real estate, Universal design, www.judysells.com

In the past, owning a home has always been perceived as a major component of the “American Dream.”  Unfortunately, because of the recent real estate market activity, home-ownership is often seen now as more of a nightmare than a dream.  But that doesn’t have to be the case!  Even in a slower economy, purchasing Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate can still be a step toward achieving your own “American Dream!” 

Inman News offers some reasons why home ownership still has benefits and advantages, including:

• The opportunity to build equity and create wealth over time.
• Protection from rent increases or eviction at the whim of a landlord.
• The pleasures of a relatively larger home, suitable for a family, and with a backyard, garage or other auxiliary space.
• The freedom — design review boards notwithstanding — to improve, remodel or redecorate to suit one’s own style and budget.
• A variety of lucrative income-tax breaks.
• Pride of ownership and a greater sense of security and stability.

 So, if you are thinking of purchasing Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate, now is the time!  Don’t let the negative media attention on the market get you down – home ownership is still an attainable goal and a big part of the American Dream.

If you are ready to begin looking at Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com. 

Tags: American dream, judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore al home owner, mobile eastern shore al real estate, www.judysells.com

Happy 4^th of July, Mobile!  Although this weekend is a time for fireworks and enjoying time with friends and family, it is also a time to remember what makes our country so great – our freedom.  So as you gather with friends and neighbors on Friday, take a moment to thank our military—living and dead, at home and abroad—for the sacrifices they have made for us.  Because, as we all know, freedom isn’t free!

Be sure to check out the events and activities happening this holiday weekend in the Mobile/Eastern Shore area.

We’ll return to discussing Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate next week; however, if you would like more information about Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate, please call me at 866-560-7474 or visit JudySells.com. 

Tags: 4th of july, judy niemeyer, mobile eastern shore al real estate, mobile eastern shore july 4th

With Mobile/Eastern Shore AL real estate sales slowing a bit for the summer, many sellers are left wondering if they may be better off renting their home out for the time being until market activity picks back up.  If you have already purchased another home, this option is especially attractive as it allows you to cut down on the expense of paying two mortgages while you wait for your home to sell.

Below are some items to think about, courtesy of BankRate.com, before deciding to become a landlord:

  Continue Reading »

Tags: judy niemeyer, landlord, mobile eastern shore al real estate, renting