Your first question when you read the title is probably; “What is Nansulate® ?”  Here is the simple definition from the manufacturer….”Nansulate® Crystal is a patented, one-of-a-kind, clear thermal insulation coating for concrete or clay tile roofs, slate roofs and asphalt or wood shingle sloped roofs that lowers your energy bill and keeps your roof looking beautiful and new.”

I ran across this website while looking for a roofing product to seal roofs that have a small hole or something simple.  This is what I found.  At approx. $85/gal, the initial cost is a little hard to swallow, but the end benefit is reported to be great!

Zoom in on the shingle….can you see the difference?  It seals all the granules and makes the roof able to withstand high winds and hard rain.

The manufacture states that the average energy savings after 3 years is 46%.  Click here for the case study.

We are in Central Texas, Brazos Valley, College Station/Bryan.  What affect would it have here?  I found a case study in Dallas!!!!

Look at the Attic Temps!!!

It is a totally Green product that falls in line with Aggie values and what everyone should be thinking about when looking to the future!!

This would be a great opportunity for home owners to make their house more energy efficient and if you have your house listed, it would definitely be more appealing to buyers. I know my buyers would be definitely move faster on a house that is more energy efficient.

If you have any questions about this or any questions on the market here in Aggieland, feel free to contact me!

For more information about Castlegate and any home in Bryan/College Station, give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919.

Farrah Spears

979-229-0919

For more information about Castlegate and any home in Bryan/College Station, give me, Farrah Spears, a call at 979-229-0919.

Farrah Spears

979-229-0919

For this and all real estate tips, call me, Farrah Spears at 979-229-0919

Chinese Drywall came into the country during around 2001 through 2007  due to the shortage of building materials after hurricanes.  The drywall came from China. It has been outlawed BUT many experts believe it is still coming into the country through Mexico and is NOT labeled as Chinese drywall.

Chinese Drywall emits a sulfur gas. The gas CAN (but not always) emit a noxious odor. This fume/gas corrodes copper and other metals which will damage electrical wiring, plumbing, appliances, electronics in the home, air conditioning PLUS what it does to your body and the bodies of your pets.

So, what do you do if you think you might have Chinese Drywall or if you want to make sure you aren’t purchasing a home with Chinese Drywall?  First – get an inspection from someone who has experience with Chinese drywall.  Then ask LOTS of questions!  Has the owner ever noticed a sulfur smell? Have the appliances been replaced? Have they had any corrosion issues with their electrical systems?

If you find YOUR home has Chinese drywall I suggest you contact Foreman and Associates to discuss possible abatement remedies and get an evaluation. I am not affiliated with Foreman and Associates and have not used them but they are one of the only sources I have found to be providing information and ideas at this time for our area.

Many homes with Chinese drywall must be stripped down to the slab, roof and studs to be remedied so this is an issue to take very seriously.

Susan Hilton

As fall approaches the Brazos Valley, we look forward to cooler temperatures . More and more people will venture away from the comfort of their air conditioners to enjoy barbeques, picnics, hiking…..and the rest of us, who chose to put off working in the heat, will be forced to resume our dreaded “honey-do” list. This is the stuff around the house that we know we need to do, should have already done and, of course, want to get done before cold weather sneaks up on us.

You may have noticed a few eye sores around your home that need to be addressed like old paint, a worn deck, or saplings sprouting from your gutters. Here are some smart fixes that might save you some time and money.

•  If you have old, flaking paint, it doesn’t just look ugly but it can let in moisture, exposing the wood to the elements and promoting structural rot. Before you paint, it’s important to prep. Be sure to scrape and sand off the old paint and carefully power-wash the surface so that the new paint will stick. ( If your house was built before 1978, anyone you hire should be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and follow safety precautions for lead.) A gallon of paint can cover about 400 square feet, so to save money on the big jobs, use a paint that can satisfy as a primer too and buy it in 5 gallon containers. This can cut the cost in half!

•  If paint is not your problem, you may have just a worn out finish on your deck, stairs or handrails. Worn, flaking finishes no longer protect the wood, leading to fading, cracking, splintering (OUCH!) and mold. Opaque finishes last longest but form a coating on the surface that might need to be sanded before a new finish can go on. Semitransparent and clear finishes wear off sooner but they penetrate the wood and rarely need sanding. That’s a plus for decks built before 2004, normally made with arsenic-laced CCA lumber!

•  And, if your sights are set little higher, clogged gutters may be demanding your attention. They should be cleaned annually to avoid any debris build up causing rain to flow over the side. A free-flowing gutter should also have leaders off the ends of the downspouts that extend at least 5 feet out from the house and the soil around the foundation should slope at least one inch per foot for 6 feet or more. Water should not be allowed to collect around the foundation, as this could lead to unwanted settling, cracks and leaks. Gutter guards are the best way to go. The screens resist debris and torrential rain and cost about 30 cents per foot to install yourself.

By doing regular home maintenance we can avoid expensive home repairs that can occur with continued neglect.

For your real estate needs in Bryan/College Station please call David and Debbie Whitener at 979-587-9979.                                           

You imagine yourself relaxing by the pool with a cold drink in your hand without a care in the world.

What you imagine might look a little like this:

Or like this:

This hidden oasis is located at 5121 Congressional in Pebble Creek.  Just listed earlier this month, this beautiful home has it all!  Not only does it have one of the best, if not best, pools in all of the Brazos Valley, it is just as great on the inside.  Featuring cathedral ceilings in the living room, top of the line amenities in the kitchen, luxurious finishes in the Master Suite, you have to view it in person to appreciate all the details.

Find out more at ClayRealtor.com, or give me a call at 979.255.1839 to schedule a private showing.

Clay Lee – Realtor

Century 21 Beal, Inc.

Before you jump into the process of landscaping your yard get a game plan. To get a game plan you need to think of a few different things such as…

• Do you want trees for shade, grass for the lawn, or flowers and plants if you like to garden?

After you have a game plan of what you want in your yard there are a few more things to do.

• First you need to monitor the cycle of light and moisture in your yard.
• Look for areas with shade and make note if these are day-long shaded or sunny areas.
• The next step is to take a sample of the dirt from your yard to a lawn and garden center and ask to determine the pH and chemical composition of your soil. This is important because knowing the characteristics of your soil will help you know what can be successfully grown in your yard.
• When you are choosing what to put in your yard it is also important to pick trees, flowers, shrubs and other plants that are native to your area. This will result in less time for you working to make your plants stay alive if they are plants that work well with the area.

To find out what is native to your area contact the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service which is found at http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu

Susan Hilton

Pools are expensive so it is important to create a budget and be aware of all the costs that go into building and maintaining a pool. Maintaining the pool is not cheap. There are monthly expenses to think about such as purchasing various chemicals, increase utility bills for water and electricity, and chlorine or pool salt depending on your pool system.

When building a pool it is important to not do it “on the cheap.” If you cut corners and use all the cheapest material when building your pool you will pay for it overtime. When you are building your pool it is important to use good materials and spend a little more money; be sure to add this into your budget when you first create it. Building a nice pool will also be beneficial if you try to sell your home later on. However, if you are planning to sale your home in the next five years, building a pool is something you should probably reconsider. When you build a nice pool that is built to last, you will get only SOME of the money back when you sell your home. When a home is for sale and has a nice pool, it is usually a big plus! If someone is looking at buying a home with a pool and it has many problems and/or requires a great deal of work most people will be turned away from this and choose to not buy the home at all.

If you have thought through all the issues of building a pool and have decided it seems like a purchase you are wanting to follow through with, it is important to be extremely careful when hiring people to work. When you choose a contractor make sure they are someone who is professional and will work hard. The contractor you choose will have a heavy influence on how pleasant or unpleasant your pool building experience is. When you start the process of choosing a contractor, ask around! Talk to your friends, family, local Realtors, and last but not least look into Better Business Bureau. This is important because it can give you some information about a contractor you may not hear by just asking around.

After you have picked a contractor and the construction process has started do not just step away and not involve yourself. It is important to monitor the process of your pool being built. Talk about everything with your contractor and write it all down! The contract regarding your pool should include details of what is included, not just the cost. The deadline should also be included in the contract. When the pool is in the process of being built make sure to take lots of pictures because if there is ever a situation where serious repairs are being done it is good to know where pipes and wires are. Hiring a home inspector or engineer to check the progress of the pool at each stage is also a good idea.

These are lots of details to follow when building a pool but overall it will help you to have a more enjoyable pool experience when it is finished! These are just some things to think about when building your pool!

Susan Hilton

If you are in a situation where there is only a metal or wooden ladder available there are some things to do to help keep you safe:

• Be aware of the lines above you so your ladder does not make contact with one.
• When you set up your ladder make sure there is a distance twice the length of the ladder between the power line and ladder.
• Always set up your ladder on solid ground.
• Be sure your ladder has been cleaned and dried. If there is moisture on the ladder it will help increase conductivity of electricity through your ladder.
• Try to keep balanced. It is important to understand balance can be thrown off by overreaching or even by the wind.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your ladder does fall into a power line do not move it. It is important to call an electric company to assist you.

Susan Hilton