America's Most Expensive Homes

Sellers, nationwide are challenged by today’s current market. However, this isn’t true for those selling luxury homes. The Trophy homes are performing very well. Be sure to read Matt Woolsey's article about America’s most expensive homes.

SPRING MAINTENANCE TIPS:

Our home is a huge investment. Below is some good information to keep that investment looking good.

Outside the House - Up High

· Inspect the roof for damaged, loose or blistered shingles. Have damaged shingles replaced if they're on less than 20% of the roof. Reroof if damaged shingles cover more than 20% of the roof.
· Examine flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges.
· Remove debris from gutters and downspouts and patch any holes. Make sure the downspouts direct water at least five feet away from your foundation.
· Examine fascia or soffit boards. Replace if they are soft or rotting because they may allow rain into your attic.
· Trim branches and shrubs that are touching your home which can provide a pathway for bugs or excess moisture to enter.
· Remove dead branches that may fall on your home. Snap!


Outside The House - Down Low

· Clean up fallen limbs, branches and other debris around the home to discourage wood-eating insects. Termites = bad.
· Clean out basement window wells.
· Inspect/replace caulk on windows, doors, and other penetrations, such as dryer vents and cable wire holes. Inspect and repair caulking where two different materials meet, for example where wood siding joins the foundation's wall or at inside corners.
· Touch up any exterior surfaces that need paint before they deteriorate further. Inspect bricks and concrete blocks for cracked mortar or loose joints.
· Inspect grading around the house to be sure water drains away from the foundation on all sides.
· Make sure that your lawn sprinkler heads do not spray the walls of the house. Water = bad.
· Check your inside and outside foundation walls and piers for termite tubes and damaged wood.

Information courtesy of PATH

Personal Expense Management - Free

American’s are in debt. For those in debt, it is time to take personal responsibility for ones personal debt. Do not allow yourself to depend on the government to take care of your credit card and mortgage debt. Our economy is where it is today because Americans, as a whole, have allowed themselves to spend what they don’t have.

If you don’t realize how bad our debt in this country is just take a few minutes and read about our economy, the stock market, financial institutions, such as Bank of America and real estate. Yikes!! It is overwhelming and it doesn’t look to be getting better anytime soon.

How did Americans get in such huge financial debt? Once in debt, how does one get out? And, if you aren’t in debt how does one stay out of debt and build for the future?

Recently I was told about a fabulous website that can help those in debt, those nearing debt and teach all who aren’t in debt how to stay out of debt. Personal expense management is now available for free. Within minutes, one can set up his/her money management system and know where ones dollars go, how to save more dollars and get control of ones finances. Do I sound a little excited about this website? I am!

The tag line for Mint is "refreshing money management". They live up to their tag line. They educate, encourage, speak frank and best of all--they do it for free.

First Billion Dollar Home

You won't be disappointed in taking the time to read Matt Woolsey’s article about the world’s first billion-dollar home. Be sure to view the pictures as well.

Hmmm, home is questionable. I am speechless. It is simply incredible what man can do when money is no option.