6 Ways to Keep Your Appliances and HVAC Running Strong

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

6 Ways to Keep Your Appliances and HVAC Running Strong

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Most people enjoy summertime, but it can take a toll on Home appliances. With kids out of school, families typically use them more frequently and the heat and humidity forces them to work harder and longer. Extreme heat, summer storms and power outages can also damage appliances. All these factors can spell trouble if you’re not performing routine maintenance.

Here are six expert tips to keep your appliances and home running strong this summer:

Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils. Condenser coils help the refrigerator stay cool by releasing heat from the compressor. Dirty coils result in the refrigerator having to work harder to cool, which can result in expensive cooling system repairs.

Clean the condenser coils at least twice a year, removing dirt, pet hair, food and more. If you have an older fridge, the coils might be painted black and mounted on the back. Newer refrigerators often have the condenser coils on the bottom. It’s easy to clean them with a vacuum and a coil brush, available through SearsPartsDirect.com.

Clean the gasket with a mild cleaner and then check the seal integrity with a solution of soapy water (just like you would do with an inflatable mattress). You can also use the dollar bill approach—close a dollar bill in the door so that it is only halfway in the fridge. If your gasket isn’t tight enough, it won’t hold the bill firmly in place. If the dollar bill falls out or slides down, look at scheduling a professional to replace the gasket.Clean and inspect your refrigerator’s door gaskets. A leaky door gasket, the rubber strip that runs alongside the door to form an air-tight seal with the fridge, can result in your refrigerator trying to cool the entire kitchen rather than the food and drinks inside.

Change the air filters in your HVAC system. Homeowners should regularly change their air filters, as dirty ones can lead to increased energy bills and damage systems. Experts recommend changing air filters every three months at minimum and monthly during the summer if they are dirty.

Clear away debris and clean HVAC condenser coils. Condenser coils release the heat from the AC unit to the outside. Dirty coils can reduce the unit’s ability to cool your home, forcing you to run it longer and use more energy.

To clean, you’ll need a garden hose, a spray nozzle and a water source. Before you begin, disconnect the power to the air conditioner. Most AC units have a shutoff box nearby. If there’s no shutoff box, find the circuit breaker in the home that controls the AC unit and turn the power off.

First, clear away debris and trim any overgrown grass or weeds near the AC unit. There is no reason to remove covers or fins from the air conditioner to clean the coils. Simply take a garden hose with a spray nozzle and wash the fins, (the outside of the AC unit) with regular water. Start with the top and work downward, washing away debris and blockage so the coils can release heat efficiently.

If the automatic cycle isn’t fully drying your clothes, you should clean the moisture sensors with soap and water to remove the chemical residue left behind from dryer sheets. This residue can build up and trick the sensors into thinking your clothes are dry prematurely. Moisture sensors are thin strips typically located near the dryer vent.’Clean the dryer lint trap and moisture sensors. Our expert technicians recommend you clean the dryer lint trap after every single load to ensure your machine is drying clothes as quickly as possible, which will save you time and energy. Periodically, use a dryer lint brush to dislodge and remove any lint that the screen didn’t catch and clean up with a vacuum. Every six months or so, remove and wash the lint screen to remove build up, especially if you use dryer sheets.

Clean and inspect your gas grill. With outdoor entertaining season here, now is a great time to make sure your gas grill is in working order. Make sure the gas is off, check the manual for how to remove the burners, then brush out the grill’s interior and burner ports with a wire brush designed for grills. When you start up the grill, let it burn for five to 10 minutes before using. Use cooking spray on the burners to prevent rust and tarnish and to keep food from sticking.

Before using your grill, you should also check for a tight seal and for leaks and cracks in the hose going to the propane tank or natural gas supply line. Use soapy water to detect leaks. If bubbles start to form, there’s a leak. If there’s a leak, replace it, as this can be a fire hazard.

Most homeowners are comfortable performing these routine maintenance tasks. If you don’t have time or want to maintain your appliances, check our recommended contractors list for an HVAC contractor.

Tom Stachler is a licensed Michigan Builder and Broker helping families with their real estate needs in and around the Ann Arbor and Saline home and condo realty markets. Contact us today for more information and feel free to use the handy Links above for immediate assistance.

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Iconic Willis Mills Connecticut Home for Sale

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Iconic Willis Mills Connecticut Home for Sale

This stunning, iconic Willis Mills property, designed in 1955 and built in 1956, is currently for sale at $2,550,000. Located in New Canaan, Conn., the 4,368 square foot is renowned as one of the most architecturally advanced properties of its time. The space blends glass, wood and stone, uniquely set in a lush, woodland hillside. Balconies and terraces meander throughout, and a Japanese garden and stone-lined pool offer a myriad of sleek, well designed spaces for relaxing, entertaining and more.

Spreading over two floors, four bedrooms and four bathrooms, the beautifully restored glass-walled home is a true architectural gem. Sitting on two acres of lush Connecticut land, the estate features many rustic elements both inside and out.

In addition to many magazine features, the home has been honored by the Architectural Record, Boston Arts Festival, Architectural Record Houses of 1957 and more.

You can view the home's unique listing video here. (Wait for agent John Engel to pop out from that tree!)

Listed for: $2,550,000

Tom Stachler is a licensed Michigan Builder and Broker helping families with their real estate needs in and around the Ann Arbor and Saline home and condo realty markets. Contact us today for more information and feel free to use the handy Links above for immediate assistance.

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Diane Keaton’s Restored Oceanside Getaway -Home Flipper

Saturday, July 8, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Diane Keaton’s Restored Oceanside Getaway

Now up for grabs: one of Diane Keaton’s early restoration projects, a Laguna Beach house steps from the sand, with views of the Pacific Ocean, beach and rugged cliffs. Built in 1928 for the J. Roy Smith orange tree groves family, when the idea of having a beach house was coming of age in California, there were many excellent lots from which to choose. The Smiths chose a bluff overlooking the wide beach of Shaw’s Cove, which afforded protection from storm waves and an expansive view. The Home was built in the Mediterranean Revival style with stucco, decorative Spanish tile accents, wood beams, carved doors, ironwork and terraces surrounded by lush plantings and an outdoor fireplace to toast one’s toes on chilly evenings.

At 71, Keaton has not slowed down. In addition to having written three books, she is well-known for her photography. The mother of two adopted children, she also owns her own wine company, The Keaton. In her spare time, she is a home flipper with a long history of Buying, remodeling and selling houses in enviable locations—houses that exude as much charm as the woman herself.

Keaton is one of a number of Hollywood celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston and Meg Ryan who collect and sell homes as a side gig. No stranger to building restoration, Keaton watched her father do the same for most of her childhood. In 2004, Keaton bought the beach house for $7.5 million and worked her magic in the restoration, preserving and accentuating its fine original details. Taking two years to complete, she sold the 4,158-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bath house in 2006 for $12.75 million. The space recently went back on the market impeccably maintained, with the same staggering views through the receding oceanfront glass walls that open the living and dining rooms to the trade winds. The wide sand beach at the bottom of the private stairs has the rarity of a water toy garage for kayaks and paddle boards.

Listed by: Hanz Radlein, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties and Michael Johnson, Villa Real Estate
Listed for: $15.989 million

Tom Stachler is a located in the Ann Arbor and Saline Real Estate markets and a long time Michigan Broker and Builder. Contact our team if you require assistance with purchasing or selling your home.

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11156 PInehurst, Plymouth, Michigan

Thursday, July 6, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

11156 Pinehurst, Plymouth, MI Luxury Condo for Sale

Coming Soon: 4 Bedroom Plymouth Condo with Walk Out & Wooded Views

Great location for commuters wanting easy access to M-14. This wonderful Home is for sale and located on a cul du sac that backs to a peaceful wooded common area. This Rare 4 Bedroom unit sports a walk out basement with high ceilings and 3pc plumbing or a third full bath. You will love sitting on the elevated deck that provides peaceful sunset views over a quiet wooded common nature area.

The main floor has like new hardwood flooring finishes with a cozy kitchen providing plenty of seating and storage with Maple cabinets, ambiance counters and Stainless Steel Appliances. The living space has a bright airy ambiance with soaring ceilings, Gas Fireplace with mantel and plenty of oversize windows include a Bay bump out and first floor master bedroom suite.

4 Bedrooms
Walk Out Basement
2.5 Baths - Basement Prepped for 3rd Full Bath
Hardwood flooring
Gas Fireplace with Mantel
Corian Counters
Maple Cabinets
Freshly Refinished Hardwood Flooring
Freshly Painted Deck/stairs
Wooded Views of Common Nature Area
Walk out Basement has Higher ceilings & Prepped for Additional Bath
Cul Du Sac location
Easy Access to M-14

Click Here for more photos and info

Open house Sunday from 2-4pm July 9th. Call Tom Stachler now to get on the first to show list.

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Mortgage Rates: How Low Will They Go?

Saturday, July 1, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Mortgage Rates: How Low Will They Go?

How low will they go? Mortgage rates limboed down again this week, with the 30-year, fixed rate—3.88 percent—marking a new low for 2017, according to Freddie Mac’s recently released Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). Both the 15-year, fixed rate and the 5-year, Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable rate moved down to 3.17 percent.

“The 30-year mortgage rate fell two basis points to 3.88 percent this week,” says Sean Becketti, chief economist at Freddie Mac. “However, the majority of our survey was conducted prior to Tuesday’s sell-off in the bond market which drove Treasury yields higher. Mortgage rates may increase in next week’s survey if Treasury yields continue to rise.”

Tom Stachler is one of the Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan's leading real estate brokers with over 25 years of experience in the Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. Check out the MLS Listings link above for a list of thousands of real estate listings for sale in Michigan.

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Luxury Homes: How to Tell if You’re Getting a Fair Price

Friday, June 30, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Luxury Homes: How to Tell if You’re Getting a Fair Price

By Anica Oaks

Buying a luxury Home isn’t as straightforward a process as one might think. This market has a lot more variables when it comes to each property, making it difficult to establish an exact market value on a home. That being the case, buyers may wonder if they’re getting a fair price on a luxury piece of property. If you’re in the expensive real estate market, here are some steps to take to ensure that the price for your home is fair.

Compare

It should be said that comparing two luxury homes isn’t the same as comparing other types of real estate. When you buy a “normal” home, your REALTOR® will look at similar homes in the area, keeping in mind the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. However, luxury homes aren’t built with that in mind. When you compare these types of homes, you may want to look at features like great views (if it’s a penthouse), privacy, sports features, etc. This gives you an idea of what’s on the market.

Know What You’re Looking For

Once you’ve looked at a couple of properties and have had a chance to compare them, you should be able to develop a “must-have” list. Think about your financing options as well. All of these will become a factor once you’re ready to buy.

Hire an Expert

Like any other profession, the real estate market has professionals that specialize in high-end homes in certain areas. These REALTORS® know what properties in the area are going for and how to find good deals.

Additionally, quality real estate professionals can tell you what types of transportation amenities are in the area. This is especially important if you’re moving into an area that’s very different from your current location. Hiring someone who knows how the flow of a geographic area works will be better able to steer you toward a good location.

Timing and Motivation

Once you’ve done the first three steps, you’ll finally want to start narrowing down the properties you’re looking at. It’s at this time that you’ll be able to make an offer on a home and more importantly, hopefully, get it at a fair price.

Luxury homebuyers should consider the timing of their purchase. They may be able to get a better deal on a home in the winter than in the summer. The same can be said for homes that go up for sale at the end of the year. These homeowners may want to get rid of the property by year’s end for tax purposes.

Additionally, you may also be able to secure their luxury home at a reasonable price if the seller is motivated to sell. But be warned. Homes priced to sell go fast, in sometimes as little as two weeks. If you find a luxury home at an excellent price, be sure to ask your real estate professional to make an offer on it.

Buying luxury real estate at a good and fair price is a process. You should start by doing some research and by hiring a real estate professional who specializes in the luxury market. From there, compare the different homes on the market. Finally, once it comes time to buy the home, look for a motivated seller. This factor, combined with all of the previous work you’ve done, will help ensure that you’ve gotten the best price for your new place.

Tom Stachler is a Michigan Licensed Builder and Broker serving the Ann Arbor, Saline and surrounding real estate communities. Please check out the ALL MLS listings for a list of Active status homes and condos for sale.

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Are Shipping Containers the Future of Swimming Pools?

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Are Shipping Containers the Future of Swimming Pools?

Interesting Idea: One Canadian couple is making a splash transforming shipping containers into backyard swimming pools. (We always knew those shipping containers were universal!)

Paul and Denise Rathnam launched Modpools earlier this year and the idea has taken off, with orders mostly coming from the hottest locales in North America, particularly California, Nevada, Texas and Florida.

“The traditional pool is a symbol of excess and waste. This is a little more modern, more modest. We’re repurposing something rather than recycling. This pool can be resold, and you can take it with you if you move," Paul Rathnam told Vancouver Sun.

It's an interesting concept, for sure, and the design, once installed, looks pretty slick. It's as if your backyard was always destined to house a shipping container.

The standard size Modpool is eight feet wide by 20 feet long, and just over five feet deep. It also comes with a clear, acrylic window on one side, which is actually a pretty spiffy design element. Customers can opt to add another acrylic window on the other side for a see-through look if they want one.

In Canada, after delivery, a Modpool will cost you $35,000 plus tax, which could be a cheaper alternative for families planning on installing an in-ground swimming hole.

Tom Stachler is a Michigan Licensed Builder and Broker serving the Ann Arbor, Saline and surrounding real estate communities. Please check out the ALL MLS listings for a list of Active status homes and condos for sale.

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JEFF BRIDGES SELLS MONTECITO MANSION

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Jeff and Susan Bridges’ dreamy 20-acre Tuscan-style estate in Montecito, California has sold. It is the home where the Bridges raised their three daughters and now as empty nesters, the couple no longer needs the 9,593 square feet of living space. But it must be hard to give up the spectacular ocean view.

Jeff and Susan purchased the property in 1994 from Kenny Loggins for $7 million and put it up for sale in 2015 for $29.5 million. Crowned by stunning Pacific Ocean and Channel Island views, the acreage also includes hiking trails, fruit trees, a vineyard and an enclave where Jeff practiced his skills at pottery making.

The main house has five bedrooms, six baths, large formal rooms for entertaining opening along the grand hall with every room having banks of French doors opening to ocean and garden views and multiple terraces. Included are a large theatre, an attached four-car garage and a wine cellar below ground. The second level contains five bedrooms on wings jutting out from the main structure adding much privacy for the occupants. The master suite is its own private island with bedroom fireplace, huge master bath and a walk-in closet of over 200 square feet. Up the stairs on the private third level above the master is a large private rooftop terrace and private study. Outside are terraced destinations for dining, swimming next to a waterfall and space for lawn games.

Jeff and Susan Bridges have sold their Montecito family home, originally priced at $29.5 million. The sale price was $15.93 million, still making a profit over its $7 million purchase price.

Tom Stachler is a Michigan Licensed Builder and Broker serving the Ann Arbor, Saline and surrounding real estate communities. Please check out the ALL MLS listings for a list of Active status homes and condos for sale.

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Bob Dylan's Historic Harlem Townhouse - For Sale

Thursday, June 22, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

When Bob Dylan moved from Minnesota to New York City in 1960, he was just a few months from the start of his fast rise to stardom. The city quickly became his creative and inspirational playground where he could collaborate, learn from and work with some of the most innovative musicians of the time. Inspired by people such as Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Little Richard, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and his coffee house musician buddies in Greenwich Village, Dylan explored all the genres of American song including country, folk, gospel, rock and roll and even jazz. But it was in songwriting where he made his mark, culminating with the Pulitzer Prize in 2008 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for his lyrics. His long career has spanned politics, social change, philosophy and literature and continue to entertain his fans attending his Never Ending Tour that has been running since the 1980s.

Dylan has sold over 100 million records and won multiples in the music award categories as well as an Academy Award (which he often displays on stage during his concerts), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into three halls of fame and recognition from presidents and officials worldwide. In the words of Horace Engdahl, a member of the Nobel Committee, Bob Dylan is “ . . a singer worthy of a place beside the Greek bards, beside Ovid, beside the Romantic visionaries, beside the kings and queens of the blues, beside the forgotten masters of brilliant standards.”

The New York City historic Harlem townhouse where Bob Dylan lived from the 1980s until 2000, during some of his most musically productive years, has come on the market. Built circa 1890 and designed by the famous McKim, Mead & White architectural firm, it is located in the St. Nicholas Historic District, created in 1967 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, encompassing approximately 150 houses. Popularly referred to as Striver’s Row, the neighborhood has attracted important residents through the years from politicians to artists.

Dylan’s four-story townhouse measures 3,952 square feet of restored 19th-century details with a complete 21st-century update for today’s lifestyles. Included are five bedrooms, three baths, six fireplaces with original mantels, formal dining room, large living room with Juliette balcony, a library, inlaid hardwood floors, crown molding, wainscoting and high ceilings.

Bob Dylan’s former historic Harlem townhouse of 14 years is now for sale, priced at $3.595 million.

Tom Stachler is a Michigan Licensed Builder and Broker serving the Ann Arbor, Saline and surrounding real estate communities. Please check out the ALL MLS listings for a list of Active status homes and condos for sale.

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5 Cities Millennials are Flocking To

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

5 Cities Millennials are Flocking To

There are several places in the U.S. where millennials can be found due to the high employment rates and beautiful settings. For adults who are in their 20s and 30s, there are several places where it's smart to invest. When you're looking to move, these are a few cities that millennials are flocking to throughout the country.

Salt Lake City, Utah

The high job growth in Salt Lake City makes it a desirable place for young adults to live as they look to obtain steady employment. The city is affordable to live in and has a median Home price of $233,000 with job growth of 2.4 percent. Salt Lake City also has a lower unemployment rate compared to other markets throughout the U.S. with 2.9 percent, which is below the national average by a few points.

Seattle, Wash.

Seattle is considered to be a hot spot for millennials, which make up 24.1 percent of the population. Its busy nightlife scene and generous median incomes of $67,000 make it an ideal place to live for younger generations. It also boasts a job growth rate of 10.8 percent. The beautiful views of the water and the long list of activities and attractions in the area are additional reasons that many millennials relocate to the city.

Austin, Texas

Millennials are drawn to Austin for its real estate market, which includes homes that have a median price of $226,000. The job growth is also 4.2 percent, and it's the second top city in the country for the number of jobs that are becoming available. Some of the top companies that are run out of Austin include Dell, Apple, and Google, making it known as "Silicon Hills." The average median income is also $58,932, which allows many young adults to afford to purchase their first home.

There's also a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, making the city desirable for millennials who make green practices a priority. Austin is also known for selling more renewable energy than other nations.

Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte is one of the best places to live in North Carolina with 14 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 34. Many of the youth are post-college graduates who have relocated to the city to seek employment and purchase a home in a neighborhood that has a suburban family profile. The draw of millennials is also causing many companies to relocate their headquarters to Charlotte in hopes of hiring talented employees.

Dallas, Texas

Dallas continues to grow each year and attract young out-of-towners due to its job growth rate of 3.9 percent and median Home Price of $175,000. The big city boasts plenty of shopping opportunities and attractions for those who want to stay busy without spending a lot to live close to the downtown area. The city hasn't attempted to control ride sharing, and many places are also easy to access by walking. There are also neighboring cities that are affordable to live in for those who don't mind commuting to work.

Tom Stachler is one of the Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan's leading real estate brokers with over 25 years of experience in the Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. Check out the MLS Listings link above for a list of thousands of real estate listings for sale in Michigan.

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