Posts made by author 'Cressy & Everett'
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31
8 Fireplace Safety Tips to Protect Your Home This Winter
If you're like many homeowners, you light up your fireplace to chase away the chills. Your fireplace does double duty this time of year: As glowing embers warm your living spaces, they also add the perfect cozy atmosphere. As you ignite the flames for the first time, remember to keep fireplace safety in mind.
Our real estate agents believe a fireplace adds warmth and beauty to your home, but we also recognize the inherent danger one can cause. To help you keep your home safe this winter, we researched fireplace safety so we could share these tips with you.
- Maintain and clean your fireplace and chimney
Before you ignite your fireplace, remember to inspect it and clean away the soot and creosote buildup from last year's flames. Your chimney provides an exit for the smoke, gases, hydrocarbon, and other substances your fireplace produces, and while this minimizes the direct harm to you and your family, the creosote they produce causes fires that burn out of control. DIY Network offers tips for cleaning and maintaining a fireplace. If you'd prefer to have a professional perform this annual task, you can locate certified chimney sweeps and learn more fireplace safety facts at the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
17
Hitting the Slopes & Trails in Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor, Michigan is perfect for people who love to slip on skis and enjoy the fantastic ski resorts and trails in the region. When you buy any of the Benton Harbor homes for sale this season, you will be pleased to know that some of the best skiing in the state is less than an hour away from your front door.
Paradise for Downhill Skiers
- Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area - 13421 Mann St., Jones
Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboard Area is an ideal place for beginner skiers to master their skills. The runs aren't too steep, and the atmosphere is 100% family friendly. When you buy one of the Jones homes for sale this year, you are buying a home in Michigan that is not more than a few minutes away from the slopes.
10
Buying a Home? The Pros and Cons of FHA
At Cressy & Everett Real Estate, our real estate agents are experienced in all of the many programs that help you buy a home. A variety of programs are available for first-time home buyers and prospective buyers with different needs.
Navigating these programs is not always easy, but the right expertise can help. One program that many people ask us about is the Federal Housing Administration loan (FHA).
FHA mortgage loans are intended to put homeownership within reach of first-time buyers. Even those who may have had financial difficulties in the past can succeed in securing an FHA home loan if they can meet some fairly straightforward requirements.
3
Light Up the Bluff - Saint Joseph
Nestled along the "Rivera of the Midwest," and Lake Michigan, Saint Joseph is a charming small town that includes a resort atmosphere and family fun activities.
With a plethora of fun, family-friendly events and attractions throughout the year, it's no surprise that Saint Joseph homes for sale are so popular. While some may think of summer events first in Saint Joseph, one of their popular annual events is happening soon: Light up the Bluff.
Fun for the Entire Family
26
Home Buying Tips: The Pros and Cons of Commuting
Before you finalize your list of new home must-haves, be sure you consider your commute time and travel costs. If you plan to buy a home in Saint Joseph, Michigan and work here too, it shouldn't be much of an issue. When the census documented local workers' travel time, they calculated an average 14.7 minute commute time. That's far less than the national average.
Our real estate agents understand the attraction of moving your family to a small town or suburb. Smaller communities have a lot to offer, but before you make a move, consider the pros and cons of an extended daily commute.
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