© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis, Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Homeowners: 13 summer dangers and how to stay safe

By Leah L. Culler of MSN Real Estate

Summer is here. So what does that mean for you, your home and your family?
Beware.
Sure, summer means ice cream, pool parties and family vacations, but it's also full of danger. And nothing ruins a neighborhood barbecue like a house fire, drowning or severed limb.
We're not trying to scare you, but it's important to know what's out there so you can protect yourself and your home. Here are 13 summer home dangers and how to guard against them.

 The Lawn Mower

© Charlie Schuck/AGE Fotostock

Mowing the lawn is a weekly ritual for many in the spring and summer, but it sends nearly 80,000 Americans to the hospital each year, according to a 2006 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers say the most common injuries are caused by debris, such as rocks and branches, propelled by the mower's spinning blades.
"These are machines with sharp blades spinning at 160 mph just inches away from our feet and hands," says author David Bishai of the Bloomberg School. "We have got to respect the dangers and use common sense."
Here are a few lawn-mowing safety tips from Bishai:

• Wear goggles, long pants and closed-toe shoes with soles that offer good traction.
• Clear the yard of debris before mowing.
• Wear protective gloves when servicing the mower or changing blades.
• Never service the mower while it is running.
• Do not carry passengers on riding mowers or tow anyone behind the mower.
• Do not allow children younger than 16 to operate a riding mower.
• Store lawn mowers in an area that has minimal traffic and that children cannot access.

 Extreme Weather

© Exactostock/SuperStock
Depending on where you live, summer can bring some nasty storms.

Tornadoes: Residents of Tornado Alley — the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains — probably know that tornado season can last throughout the summer, bringing winds of up to 300 mph. Unlike in "The Wizard of Oz," a tornado probably won't pick your home up and plop it down elsewhere without doing some serious damage. Protect your home from tornado damage with this online checklist from The Weather Channel.
Hurricanes: Those of you on the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. know the threats of hurricane season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a short checklist to help you prepare your home before a hurricane hits.
Wind and hail: Even if you don't live in a hurricane or tornado zone, wind and hail from summer storms can do some serious damage. In 2010, damage caused by wind and hail cost State Farm Insurance and its policyholders more than $3.2 billion, says Holly Anderson, a State Farm spokeswoman. She also says that homeowners should consider impact-resistant roofing to limit damage.
Lightning: If lightning strikes your home, it can fry your electrical system, destroy equipment and even set your house on fire. Read "If lightning strikes, is your home ready?" to learn how to protect your home.

 A House Fire

© John A. Rizzo/Photodisc/Getty Images

A lightning strike can set fire to your home, but the likelihood of that is slim compared with more common summer sparks, such as outdoor grilling and fireworks.
According to firesafety.gov, nearly 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks each year, and 5,000 are injured by charcoal, wood-burning and propane grill fires. Anderson, from State Farm, says July is the peak summer month for insurance claims related to smoke and fire losses. The average cost for such a claim between 2005 and 2009 was $23,548, she says.
Protect your home and yourself by following a few fire-safety tips:

• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Always have a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher or both nearby.
• Dispose of hot coals properly; douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

Find more tips and information at firesafety.gov, which compiles information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Fire Administration. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, you can find more home-protection information on the FEMA website.

A Ladder

© Cultura Creative/Alamy

A clear summer day may seem like the perfect time to climb a ladder to fix that loose shingle on the roof or to trim that eyesore of a tree. But a fall from that height can cause serious injury or death.
The CPSC says that 164,000 ladder-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms in the U.S. each year. Your best bet may be to have a professional handle any home project involving great heights, but you can take precautions to keep your ladder climb as safe as possible:

• Be sure your ladder has slip-resistant feet.
• Be sure the ground under the ladder is level and firm.
• Keep your body centered on the rails at all times; do not lean to the side while working.
• Do not step on the top step of the ladder.

  Digging A Hole

  
  

  © I love images/Photolibrary
  Before you get out a shovel to plant a tree or install a mailbox, you must find out if and where utility lines are buried in your yard. When struck, underground gas and power lines can cause serious injury or death.
  Khrysanne Kerr, vice president of communications for the Common Ground Alliance, says that more than 19 million miles of pipes, wires and cables are buried. They provide vital services such as energy, water and enhanced 911 service. The CGA works to prevent damage to underground utilities and to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
  Digging without knowing what's underground can cause serious harm, but it can also disrupt vital services and cause costly damage.
  Homeowners who are planning a project that involves digging should call 811, which will route the call to a local center. Local utility companies will then visit your property to mark the approximate location of underground lines, pipes and cables.
  "Making a phone call to 811 is by far the easiest damage-prevention tactic (that) anyone who intends to dig can make," says Bob Kipp, CGA president. "Homeowners need to exercise caution and make the phone call and not a judgment call."

  The Heat

  
  

  © Novastock/Photolibrary
  
  Between 1979 and 2003, heat-related illnesses killed 8,015 people in the United States, more than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined, the CDC says.
  Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling itself, but it may not be enough in extreme heat or long exposure.
  So what can you do?
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Seek air conditioning to keep cool.
• Pace yourself.
• Monitor people at high risk, including the elderly and young children.

In some places, a hot day can turn paved roads into "streets of fire." Metal surfaces, such as car doors or a shed in your yard, also can get extremely hot.
Arizona Burn Center studies found that contact with hot pavement in the summer is a leading cause of foot burns in small children in the Southwest. One study showed that pavement temperatures in Arizona are hot enough to cause second-degree burns within 35 seconds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Always wear shoes if you'll be walking on potentially hot surfaces, and don't touch metal surfaces that have been in the sun for a long time.

Power Tools

© Sylvie Bouchard/Alamy

Every year, emergency rooms treat 36,000 people for chain-saw injuries and thousands more for injuries caused by power hedge trimmers or weed trimmers, according to CDC estimates.
Any time you're using a power tool, wear protective gear, head to toe. And don't decide you're going to tackle that downed tree in the backyard after a few Coronas. Power tools and booze don't mix.
Here are a few fact sheets on power tools from the CPSC.

Bugs

© MedicalRF.com/Corbis

About 2 million Americans are allergic to insect stings, and many of them are at risk of life-threatening reactions, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Each year, insect stings cause at least 50 deaths and send more than 500,000 Americans to the emergency room.
Stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are most active in the late summer and early fall.
Other potentially harmful bugs include ticks, which can cause Lyme disease; mosquitoes, which can spread West Nile virus; scorpions; and a few types of spiders.

Your Garden

© Plush Studios/Getty Images

The plants, flowers and trees in your yard may provide food for your family, sweet-smelling flowers and beautiful landscaping. But some of them may be dangerous. Did you know, for instance, that eating the leaf blade of the rhubarb plant can lead to convulsions, coma and even death? Know what's growing in your yard and in nearby areas and make sure your family members know never to eat a plant they find. That goes for mushrooms, too.

Here's a chart from Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service that identifies some of the most common poisonous plants.

Your Swimming Pool

© Carl & Ann Purcell/Corbis

According to the CDC, most accidental drownings of children ages 1 to 4 occur in residential swimming pools. While your pool may add value to your home and offer relief from the summer heat, it can also put your family at risk.
The best way to keep your pool area safe is to install a fence to prevent anyone from falling in accidentally. Supervise your children at all times when they are in a pool.
Also be aware of any rivers, lakes or other bodies of water near your home, and exercise caution any time you are in or around them. Wear life jackets and know the weather forecast before you go swimming; a sudden change in weather can put you at risk.

Tetanus

© Ian Logan/Getty Images

Did your parents tell you not to run around barefoot outside, warning that you'd step on a rusty nail and get tetanus?
These days, most people have been vaccinated against tetanus, but people do still get it, and it can be deadly. And rusty nails aren't the only things to avoid.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Clostridium tetani, the bacteria that cause tetanus, are found in soil, dust and animal feces. When the bacteria enter a wound, spores may produce a powerful toxin called tetanospasmin, which actively impairs your motor neurons, or the nerves that control your muscles.
Your best protection is to ensure that you and your family are up-to-date on tetanus shots. It's probably also a good idea not to step on any rusty nails.

Pesticides

© Javier Larrea/age fotostock/Photolibrary

Everyone deals with pests in and around the home, whether those pests are bugs, weeds or bacteria. But some pest-control products come with dangerous side effects.
If you're using pesticides, you can limit your exposure to the potentially harmful substances and their impact on you, your family and your pets. Read more about minimizing your exposure on the National Pesticide Information Center's website (PDF).
You also can limit the use of pesticides by trying "integrated pest management," which is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management.

The Sandbox

© Juniors Bildarchiv/Photolibrary

That sandbox you built in the backyard has given your kids hours of enjoyment and may even make your home more appealing to potential homebuyers. But danger could be buried in the sand if neighborhood cats have decided to use it as a litter box. 

That's right: Cat poop is not only gross, it's dangerous.
Cats may host a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii; it can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis, which can affect the brain, lungs, heart, eyes and liver. It can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems.
If you want to protect your family and embark on a home-improvement project at the same time, build a sandbox cover and keep the sandbox protected so that it doesn't become a giant litter box. Teach your kids to always wash their hands after playing in the sandbox.
Find more information about toxoplasmosis on the National Center for Biotechnology Information's website.

Celebrate National Homeownership Month: Reasons to Own

by The KCM Crew on June 23, 2014 in Infographics

How to Keep Your Electricity Bills Cool this Summer

By Kate Rogers

Published May 27, 2014

FOXBusiness

• 

   After a brutal winter, most Americans are embracing the warm weather. But summer heat brings higher electricity bills thanks to increased regulation on the coal industry.

According to reports, tighter regulation on coal, which powers about 40% of the nation’s energy, will cause electricity prices to increase by about 4% this year. This is the highest increase since 2008. And over the next several years, energy prices are expected to increase by about 13% come 2020.

Last year, the average summer electricity bill was about $395, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Here are a few simple tips to help shave down costs ahead of the summer season:

No 1: Manage your Consumption
Making small changes to your living habits can bring significant savings to your cooling costs. Programming your thermostat to a higher temperature when not at home can help reduce your bills along with keeping shades down to let in less sun heat.
Another option is turning to gadgets like the Nest thermostat to manage temperatures in the home. Nest is a smart thermostat that allows users to zone their homes and control temperatures via their phone. Nest also learns what temperatures owners prefer.
“If you already have a programmable thermostat, you don’t necessarily need to update to a Nest,” says Julia Scott, founder of BargainBabe.com. “But turning down your thermostat in small increments can help you to save on your electricity bill.”
Nest retails for about $250, and the company’s website claims it can cut down electricity bills by about 20%.

No. 2: Use Energy-Smart Appliances
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner or refrigerator, consider buying an energy-smart model. They use less power and may be tax credit eligible. Check out Energystar.gov for more information on energy-efficient appliance and possible tax breaks.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Scott says. “Also, consider dusting the bottom of your refrigerator coils to help them run more efficiently. If it’s covered in dust, it has to work harder to release that heat.”

No. 3: Clean Out Air Conditioner Filters
Experts recommend cleaning out air conditioner filters once a month, either on your own or hire a professional.
“If they are covered in fuzz and dust, they can’t cool the air as much,” Scott says.

No. 4: Look for Leaks and Cracks in Home
Make sure your house is properly sealed in order to keep the cool air that you are paying for in. You can do this yourself by walking through your home and finding cracks and leaks in windows and baseboards, or you can pay a professional to come in and indetify any leaks. Fill any holes with rubber or caulk, available at your hardware store, Scott recommends.
“Do anything you can to fill these leaks and cracks. There’s a huge debate out there [on the topic of green homes] of whether you should install solar panels, or just make your home an airtight box. Sealing your home will help you see a drastic reduction on your electric bill.”

No. 5: Use Power Strips
All of the gadgets you leave plugged in during the day, called the “phantom load”, are increasing your utility bills, Scott says.
She suggests using a power strip with about five to six different plugs and connecting gadgets in one strip. This way, you can either turn the entire strip off when you leave the house for the day, or find a “smart” model that only turns on when you want it to.
“It’s great because we all forget to turn off our appliances,” she says.

How to Sell a Home in the Summer-10 Sizzling Summer Home Selling Tips

How to Sell a Home in the Summer

10 Sizzling Summer Home Selling Tips

By Elizabeth Weintraub

 If You Sell Your Home During the Summer

Not everybody can wait until fall. Sometimes people need to sell during the months of June, July and August. They might be transferred to a new job in another state or be experiencing other pressing "life" issues that could necessitate an immediate sale. Here are a few things you can do help attract a summertime buyer who might be leaning instead toward lying in a hammock and sipping lemonade.

Mow the Lawn Twice a Week Don't ask me why but grass grows faster in the summer. Don't explain it to me, either, because I don't want to think about photosynthesis or chlorophyll. Your hair grows faster in the summer, too. Every other lawn cutting, try mowing on the diagonal to add dimension and curb appeal.

Create Summer Curb Appeal Curb appeal is what makes fairy-tale land leap from the pages of a landscaping book and into your front yard. Curb appeal creates lust, happiness and contentment. Trim the bushes. Plant flowers. Scatter mulch. Paint your house number on the curb. Sweep the walk. Make your entrance welcoming and warm.

Decorate With Summer-Influenced Accents Look around your yard for color inspiration. White is a pure summer color. Vivid blues have a calming affect. You can sweep away the cobwebs of winter by replacing accent pillows or throw rugs with brighter, summer hues.

Bring the Light Inside If you have heavy drapes, remove them. They tend to make rooms look smaller anyway by encroaching on space. Pull all your blinds to the top and tape the strings underneath. Consider tie-backs if you don't already have them for holding open lighter drapes / curtains. The only time you would leave blinds closed is if there was an undesirable element on the other side of the window, i.e. a neighbor's trash can, and even then, open them slightly.

Go With the Flow of Summer Due to daylight savings in most states, it stays light outside longer. Some people like to skip out of work early on a Friday. You might find buyers are more interested in touring your home in twilight hours, just after the dinner hour.

Move the Home Outside Where I live, in Sacramento, it doesn't rain in the summer. We can move perfectly good living room furniture to the back yard. Not only does moving out furniture free up more room inside the home, but it creates an outdoor living space with items you already own. It's an illusion created for a buyer that says yes, you can own this lifestyle, too.

Deliver the Sparkle Gold or silver or brass or pewter? Doesn't matter. Mix them, if you like. Old rules don't apply. Metals are summery. Vases, picture frames, mirrors, utensils, goblets, hanging planters to garden gnomes.

Supply Summer Treats and Drinks For me, in California, summer means red-and-white checkered tablecloths, potato salad, hot dogs and mustard and roasted corn-on-the-cob. Every part of the country has its own summer food traditions. In Maine, summer might mean juicy blueberries and clams. Fill the sink with ice cubes and chill bottled water for guests.

Utilize Natural Scent Sparingly Sometimes, people go hog wild with the air fresheners. Vanilla is a popular scent but it can overwhelm sensitive noses. Try filling the air with natural fragrances such as those from cut roses or honeysuckle vines.

Control the Air Temperature The only thing worse than a stuffy room on a hot day is a hot room. Circulate air. Even if you have to place floor fans about the home, keep the air moving. Turn down the AC to a notch below your comfort zone if the air outside is hotter than your comfort zone. Not so cold that your visitor's arm hair stands up. But chilly enough that they don't want to go back outside.

Reasons to Own

Buying a Home: The Cost of Living

Whether you are a first time buyer or a move-up buyer, you should look at the projections housing experts are making in two major areas: home prices and mortgage rates.

PRICES

Over 100 economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists were recently surveyed. They were asked to project where home prices were headed. The average value appreciation projected over the next twelve month period was approximately 4%.

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES

In their last Economic & Housing Market Outlook, Freddie Mac predicted that 30 year fixed mortgage rates would be 4.8% by this time next year. As of last week, the Freddie Mac rate was 4.14%.

What does this mean to you?

If you are a first time buyer currently looking at a home priced at $250,000, this is what it could cost you on a monthly basis if you wait to buy next year:

If you are a move-up buyer currently looking at a home priced at $500,000, this is what it could cost you on a monthly basis if you wait to buy next year:

Bottom Line

With both home prices and interest rates projected to increase, buying now instead of later might make sense.
__________________________________________________________________
ATTENTION: If you are a real estate agent looking for more information to share with your buyers as to why now is a great time to purchase, sign up for a Free 14 Day Trial of KCM and download the Summer Edition of our 11-page eGuide,Things to Consider When Buying A Home.

Cartoon!

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Thank you for visiting our REMAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin website.
Please feel free to contact us for any of your residential or commerical real estate needs including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home if you are a buyer.

Our real estate focus in the  Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, Lake Country, Jefferson County, Dane County, Dodge County and Washington County areas. Several agents in the office also their IRES designation (International Real Estate Specialist) so they can assist you with all your real estate needs in Wisconsin, the USA or anywhere in the WORLD!

When you are seriously looking or just browsing at real estate in Wisconsin, RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, is the BEST resource to help you with all your needs and questions, whether a first time home buyer, relocating to or from the beautiful LAKE COUNTRY area, looking to invest or explore foreclosure opportunities or just thinking ahead to the future. 

Lisa Bear is the broker/owner of RE/MAX Realty Center, Real Estate in Wisconsin (262-893-5555) is an experienced real estate agent in Waukesha County and the entire Milwaukee Metro area. Lisa thinks "outside of the BOX" and encourages her agents to do so as well. If you want creative options and exceptional marketing and service - look no further! 

The RE/MAX Realty Center Office, has experienced agents with expertise in luxury home marketing, lake property experts, foreclosure and short sale specialists, investment and property management brokers and commercial brokers. 

Our agents areas of service include, but are not limited to:
The prospering communities of Waukesha County including Delafield, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Sussex, Wales, New Berlin, Dousman, North Prairie, Mukwonago, Chenequa, Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Okauchee, Eagle, Muskego and Merton. 

Great municipalities in Milwaukee County including Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Glendale, Franklin, Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Greendale, Shorewood, Oak Creek, St. Francis, West Allis and Whitefish Bay. 

The hometown favorites of Washington County, Jefferson County and Dodge County including Watertown, Hartford, West Bend, Germantown, Jackson, Richfield, Ashippun, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Slinger and Erin.

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

If lake living is what you desire then Lake Country is the place to be! If you are thinking about buying waterfront property in Wisconsin, a little time invested in learning about waterfront living will pay back sizeable dividends in matching your expectations to realities. 

 Lake Country Living on one of Waukesha Countys great lakes as a full timer or vacationer is a must and there are some great lakes to choose.  Nagawicka Lake, Pine Lake, Oconomowoc Lake, Beaver Lake, Okauchee Lake, Pewaukee Lake, Moose Lake, North Lake, Lake Keesus, Lac La Belle, Upper Nashotah, Lower Nashotah, Upper Genesee, Lowe Genesee, Middle Genesee, Upper Nemahbin, Lower Nemahbin, Fowler Lake, Golden Lake, Pretty Lake, Silver Lake, Waterville Lake, and Crooked Lake. Great lakes of the surrounding area also include Lake Michigan, Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lake, Little Cedar Lake, Pike Lake and Lake Ripley.

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, 262-567-2455 or 262-893-5555,  offer online markets, listing package and FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO) options, MLS search access, buyer agency and marketing that will exceed your expectations, all with outstanding service!  

Your home purchase or sale is likely your largest investment, be sure you have an good agent you can trust! Real Estate in Wisconsin is an excellent investment, prices are superb, selection is great and rates are outstanding!!!

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!