If you've been watching the news then you know that hurricane Irene is scheduled to hit the North East late this coming weekend. With winds predicted to reach anywhere from 50-70 mph with heavy rain, weather experts are predicting possible power outages, downed trees, and potential flooding.

courtesy weather.com

While New York and Boston will receive the worst of it, Vermont will still receive some major weather. So what should you do to make sure you're prepared? First things first, stay calm. At the very least make sure that by Saturday night all of you doors and windows are secured and be prepared to stay indoors. If you have any animals be sure that they too are secured indoors and can not easily escape if frightened by the storm. It would also be a good idea to make sure gutters and draining ditches are clear of debris. Secure outdoor lawn furniture and other outside objects that could be blown away as well.

It's best if you have a few extra supplies on hand like flashlights, batteries, non perishable food, extra water, and a full tank of gas in your car in case of power outages or flooding detours come Monday morning. Be sure to check in with local news reports to stay on top of the latest weather alerts and above all, stay safe Vermont!

For more information on hurricane Irene visit:

http://news.yahoo.com/hurricane-irene-marks-1st-big-us-threat-years-071828290.html

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2043.html

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/08/25/hurricane.irene.airlines/

Beautiful Executive Home in St. Albans

Buying a home is a great way to improve your family's financial security. The main way this happens is through home equity. What is equity? The equity in your home is the difference between its market value and the balance on your mortgage. In other words, equity is the wealth built up in your home over time. If you could sell your home for $400,000 and the amount you owe on your mortgage is only $100,000, then your equity is $300,000.

Equity is built in three ways: down payment, mortgage payments, and market gains. Making a down payment is a reduction in your mortgage amount, giving you instant equity in your home.

Making house payments increases your equity as well, since every payment includes a portion for interest and a portion that reduces the amount of your loan amount (called the principal). Over time the amount of your payment that goes toward the principal increases and helps to build your equity even faster.

You also build equity as your home gains in value over time; this appreciation in market value can mean that you build equity simply by owning your home. Of course there are no guarantees that real estate values will continue to rise, but historically this has been the case. If your home is worth $250,000 and the market appreciates by 5% each year then after just two years you could add $25,000 in equity simply by living there.

Equity doesn't have to be an abstract concept; you can turn it into cash by applying for a home equity loan which uses the equity in your home as security and in many cases allows you to deduct the interest from your taxes, just as you do with your first mortgage.

Home equity loans are usually a cheaper source of funds than other types of credit (credit cards, for example) and can be an excellent way to pay for home renovation or to consolidate debt.

If you are considering buying a home, one of the first steps will be applying for a mortgage. Check out our Mortgage Application Checklist for tips on getting started. To apply for a mortgage or if you have questions about the entire process, we recommend contacting The Mortgage Guys at Spruce Mortgage. Visit them on the web at www.vermontmortgageguys.com.

Now that Summer is finally here, here are some tips to get your home in tip-top shape, maximize it's curb appeal and get it sold before the Fall!

Lang Farm Colonial

Outdoor Projects

Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression, maintain your home's curb appeal!  Start with some gardening and landscaping projects. Plant colorful  flowers, trim bushes and  mulch your beds.

Another easy, fun project that won't take up your whole weekend - replace your house numbers and your mailbox numbers. Your local hardware store has a good variety. Buy a few different styles and take them home to see what looks the best.

Yet another way to spruce up your exterior is to start some painting projects that will make your house look fresh. Start with painting your front door and inspecting your door handle hardware. A new handle and fresh coat of paint will welcome your summer visitors.

Update your exterior light fixtures. Outdated light fixtures are less than appealing. Plus this is a quick, inexpensive way to help your home's curb appeal.

Also, clean out your gutters and drains so that they are ready for any summer rainstorms. While you're looking at the downspouts take a quick look at the siding. Consider renting a powerwasher and wash any mildew or staining that may have developed. Don't forget to powerwash your windows as well!

Indoor Projects

Let the sunshine in! With more daylight hours now then ever, now is the time to take a good look at your windows. Many people don't realize how much grime and film builds up on  windows until they are clean. A quick interior window cleaning can give your entire home a fresh, clean feeling. Tip: Use newspaper instead of paper towels to wash windows - it won't leave streaks or lint.

Lang Farm Colonial

To maximize interior sunlight, take down any drapes or curtains that are heavy and dark and replace with a light color or sheer. Another way to make the most of natural light is to open blinds and shutters. If you have "side-lights" on your front doors consider leaving these uncovered.

Also, it's always a good idea to have your screens in good repair and your friendly neighborhood hardware store can fix torn, damaged, or bent screens.

For more tips on how to sell your home faster, visit some of Geri's tips pages or better yet, send her a quick email for her advice on how to get your house ready for the market. In addition, we offer free home staging to all of our clients.