Real Estate Information Archive

You might feel it better to just call a contractor every time something needs to be fixed in your home rather than doing it yourself. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you need to save some money, there are ways to make your own simple repairs and maintain items in your home.

Here's a few things in your home that you can take care of yourself:

Faucets

Faucets mostly leak because of worn out washers in the handles, as they're made of rubber and wear out over time. To replace them, shut off the main water supply, unscrew the leaky handle, and replace the washer.

Toilets

If you think your toilet might be leaking, add red water to the tank. Check the bowl in an hour to see if the water in the bowl is pink. If it is, there's a leak.

This is a simple fix if there is a leak. You just need to replace the flapper. To replace the flapper, shut off the water to the toilet, usually located on the wall behind the toilet. Empty the tank by flushing it.

Remove the flush chain from the lever, and then slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube. Slide the new flapper in place over the overflow tube, reconnect the chain. Double check everything is back in place and turn the water supply back on.

Plumbing

Here are some things to watch for to keep your pipes clear:

• Fat buildup is the main cause for clogged drains. Do not pour fats or oils down your drain. If you do accidentally spill an oil or fat down the drain, run hot water along with a good portion of dishwashing fluid. The soap will emulsify the fat or oil and move it on down the pipe, clearing any clogs.
• Use a hair strainer in the bathtub drain. Hair is the biggest cause of clogs in the bathroom. Make sure to remove hair after each shower from the strainer.
• Drano isn't always the answer to a clogged drain. The acids in this type of product can actually cause damage to your pipes if used too much. Instead, first try a drain snake and pull the clog to the surface. If your kitchen sink is clogged, try plunging it before trying to snake the drain. If you cannot remove the clog using a drain snake, call a professional.

Air Conditioning

Its easy to forget about the air conditioner. But they can be spendy to repair when they do break down.

Regularly inspect the condensation hose to make sure that water can flow freely from the line. If there is standing water around where your condensation line drains, create a drainage path using a small garden trowel and line the path with gravel to keep mold and algae from forming.

Also make sure the screen around your air conditioner is free of debris to keep the air moving freely. Also be sure to replace filters every few months.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

7056 Tombstone Road NW, Albuquerque, NM  $269,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2654 Square Feet

 This wonderful Green Built Silver Rated DR Horton home is located near parks, shopping & walking trails. No neighbors behind the home. Huge loft, and even a downstairs office with French doors. All appliances are included. With a HERS rating of 60, this home is extremely energy efficient! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

It's almost time for young ghosts and goblins to have fun in Albuquerque! With the holiday comes plenty of fun, but it's also a time to think about keeping our kids safe on the streets. Here's a few tips to help your kids stay safe and happy during their trick-or-treating activities.

Costume Safety:

• Try to plan costumes that are bright and reflective.
• Make sure that shoes fit well, as not all costume shoes are made to fit as well as regular shoes.
• Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Masks can limit or block eyesight, so you may want to use non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
• Make sure that hats fit properly so they don't slide over eyes.
• Test makeup ahead of time on a small patch of skin to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Decorative contact lenses are not safe. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as "one size fits all," or "no need to see an eye specialist," using decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. They can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Go over how to call 911 with your children if they get lost or have an emergency.

From House to House:

Children should never go trick or treating without a responsible adult. make sure everyone has a flashlight. If older children are going alone, go over their planned route and make sure it's acceptable. Agree on a specific time when they should return home. Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Food Allergies:

If your children have food allergies, this can be a tricky time of year. Make sure to examine candy your children bring home and carefully read labels. Make sure your child with allergies refrains from eating candy until you do so. If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat because of an allergy and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize. Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candy is at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers, because factories often produce many different products.

Also beware of "fun size" or miniature candies which may have different ingredients or be made on different equipment than the regular size candies, meaning that brands your child previously ate without problems could cause a reaction. Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.

Here's a few halloween parties in Albuquerque that will privide a safe place to celebrate.

Boo-lloon Mania at the Balloon Museum

Zoo Boo at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo

Albucreepy Downtown Ghost Walk

Ghost Tours of Old Town

Dragon's House of Horror

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween in Albuquerque!

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8309 Rancho Paraiso NW, Albuquerque, NM  $269,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2276 Square Feet

 You don't want to miss this picturesque almost 1/4 acre with backyard access. This is a fabulous 4 bedrooms home. Master is on the first floor. Spacious, well appointed kitchen. Light, bright wonderful family home. Pride of ownership is apparent. Balcony with fantastic views upstairs. Sought after neighborhood with easy access to all amenities. Don't wait to see this sensational home! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If there's one thing that's always true about moving, is that it's expensive. You can easily rack up thousands of dollars of costs along the way. But it doesn't need to cost as much if you plan ahead and follow these simple suggestions.

1. Timing Your Move

The timing of your move can really affect how much you spend. You can save more by moving during the months between October and April, as this is a less busy time for moving companies. Moving companies also usually charge less during weekdays. If you have flexibility, try to schedule your move during these times.

2. Lighten Your Load

It should come as no surprise that the less items you have to move, the less you'll pay. This applies to either hiring a moving company or renting a truck.

Moving is a perfect time to purge the extra clutter from your life. You can start with the larger items, then work your way to the smaller things. You can have a moving sale to make some extra cash, or donate your items to charity. Some charities will even pick up larger items. You can also write off donations from your taxes.

Reducing the amount of items you move reduces effort and stress as well. And if you have friends and family helping, they'll appreciate that you've done what you can to lighten their load as well.

3. Save on Boxes

If you use boxes from a moving company, they will cost more, as they're sturdier and offer more protection. But you can reduce this cost by buying used boxes sold by many moving companies. They offer the same protection as new boxes.

You can also check post on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, along with local stores. Try to find liquor boxes, as they're more sturdy. Just make sure the boxes are in good shape and can be sealed properly.

4. Pack It Yourself

If you use a moving company, you can pack your own boxes to save money. But you should check with them to make sure of their policies on packing your won boxes. They have safety concerns and may make you repack them if not done correctly.

5. Save Your Receipts

Make sure to save all of your receipts of your company or military is reimbursing you.

6. Shop Around

Don;t just go with the first moving company you find. Check around and compare prices. Also make sure to check out ratings on Google. along with the Better Business Bureau.

You can also check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which receives over 4,000 fraud complaints each year related to interstate moves, primarily related to lost items, damage to property, or overcharges. Doing your homework will help you find the best price and select a reputable company.

Moving doesn't have to cost as much if you follow these basic tips.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8309 Rancho Paraiso NW, Albuquerque, NM  $269,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2276 Square Feet

 You don't want to miss this picturesque almost 1/4 acre with backyard access. This is a fabulous 4 bedrooms home. Master is on the first floor. Spacious, well appointed kitchen. Light, bright wonderful family home. Pride of ownership is apparent. Balcony with fantastic views upstairs. Sought after neighborhood with easy access to all amenities. Don't wait to see this sensational home! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Winter is an expensive season, and not just because of the holidays. During the winter months your energy bill can double, but there are ways to avoid that monthly ding in your account. We have a few tips.

The Sun Is Free

That beautiful bright thing in the sky, during the day, is a free and natural way of warming up your home. During the day, you open any curtains or blinds in windows you have facing south to get as much heat as possible. Then close everything back up once the sun lowers to the horizon to trap that warmth.

Bundle Up!

This is a super easy way to keep warm. You can wear those comfy looking, super warm socks you found on sale over summer, or those nice new house slippers with those comfy insoles. Now it's time to pull out those sweaters you stored away during the warm season, and don't forget those soft throw blankets, they'll add a comfortable layer of warmth as well.

Adjusting the Temperature at Night

By adjusting you thermostat at night to a lower temperature, while your all snuggly tucked in bed, you can keep from losing warm air from your home. Which means less power loss.

Don't Heat That Room! 

If you have a room or two you're not using, like a guest room, don't turn on the heat, or close off the vents to direct the heat flow to the more important areas of the home. If you're only using oil heaters, only use them in rooms you're using. Another thing is to keep the furnace maintained so it stays clean and unblocked. These will help quite a bit in lowering your bill.

With these things in mind, stay warm during winter and keep those annoying bills manageable.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

231 Graceland Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM  $214,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 1530 Square Feet

 Nob Hill Charmer! Great Opportunity!!! Make this one your own or your investment property; whatever the goal-DO NOT MISS this one! Situated on a large corner lot, this gem features both formal and informal living areas; Recently re-finished hardwood floors; Cozy wood burning fireplace; separate dining room or perhaps office/hobby space; plus classic details throughout. Enjoy warm summer evenings under the ample covered patio. Close to shopping, UNM & UNMH, transporation! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Mold – it's a dirty word no matter how you look at it, at least in the home. Mold can cause significant damage to your home and is certainly not good for your health. Mold can grow anywhere, and getting rid of spores completely is almost impossible. But with a few preventative measures, you can keep mold to a minimum. Here's a few tips to help you keep mold in check.

Find Problem Areas

You can't make a home completely mold proof, but you can make it mold resistant. Go through your home and look for areas that are prone to mold.  Does the basement flood? Are there windows that have condensation? Is there a water stain on the ceiling from a leak? Preventing mold can be  as easy as removing a carpet in the basement, or repairing a damaged gutter.

Keep Things Dry

Moisture is an invitation for mold spores. Things like wet spots on the carpet, clothes or wet laundry in the dryer should be dried as soon as possible. The bathroom is especially a hotbet for mold spores, so make sure you keep the bathroom dry and clean. Turn on the fan or open the window while bathing or showering, and do so until the moisture is gone. Dry around the kitchen sink after washing dishes. Keep areas like the bathroom and laundry room open for ventilation.

Keep Good Airflow In You Home

The air is unable to hold as much moisture as is cools down. Keeping a good airflow in your home will keep that moisture from settling into your walls or windows. Keep doors in the home open to help increase circulation and pull your furniture from the walls a bit. Fresh air never hurts.

Cooking and taking a shower are also activities that can invite moisture. Make sure you use the fan when cooking or taking a shower, or in the laundry room when washing clothes.

Keeping Plants In the Home

Keep an eye on your houseplants. They can attract mold in the soil. Try keeping them in areas that have good airflow and be careful not to water them more than is necessary for each plants needs.

Following these simple suggestions will help keep mold out of your home.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

231 Graceland Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM  $214,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 1530 Square Feet

 Nob Hill Charmer! Great Opportunity!!! Make this one your own or your investment property; whatever the goal-DO NOT MISS this one! Situated on a large corner lot, this gem features both formal and informal living areas; Recently re-finished hardwood floors; Cozy wood burning fireplace; separate dining room or perhaps office/hobby space; plus classic details throughout. Enjoy warm summer evenings under the ample covered patio. Close to shopping, UNM & UNMH, transporation! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

You did it! After all those years of renting and paying someone else's mortgage, you've purchased your own home at last. Now it's time to get ready to move out of your rental and into your dream home. 

But if you've never moved from a rental before, or if it's been a few years, you may have forgot all the things you need to do in order to properly leave your rental so that you get as much back from your deposit as you can. You'll certainly need that money for your new home, so it's a good idea to cover all of your bases when moving out of your rental.

Here's a checklist of the tasks to prioritize so that you can get back your deposit.

Two Months Before the Move: 

Examine Your Lease

As soon as you decide to move, you need to ask your landlord or leasing company about the move-out guidelines in your lease. Check your copy of the lease and go over specifics about how much notice is needed, cleaning responsibility, and other essential items.

Asses Damage 

Check the areas of your rental to see what needs repair before the final inspection. Go over the list with your landlord to see what items they will fix, and what you are responsible for.

One Month Before the Move:

Give written notice.

Write a letter to your landlord or leasing company with the exact date of your move. Make sure to give notice according to their rules or you may lose your deposit

Cancel or Change Your Renter’s Insurance.

Contact your insurance company to advise them of your move date.

Gather Supplies

Get together all the supplies you'll need, such as boxes, tape, and packing materials.

Three Weeks Before the Move:

Start Decluttering and Packing.

Start organizing and getting rid of things you won't need to move. Sell them, donate them, or give them to other tenants in your complex.

Tie Up Loose Ends

Make sure you get time off work, check into boarding pets, and changing utilities such as phone and internet, electricity, gas, and water to your new home. That will make sure you're not moving in the dark in your new home.

Want more tips on what to do before your move? Check back on our blog later this week for part 2 of this article.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2536 Sarita Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104  $169,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 partial) / 1232 Square Feet

 Convenient location near Old Town & Rio Grande! Wonderful home with tile roof, refrigerated air, great room with fireplace open to kitchen with breakfast bar & pantry. Nice layout featuring master bedroom separate from the 2 additional bedrooms, great covered patio & attached 2 car garage. All appliances stay! Don't miss this turn key property!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team