Paul Sears\’ Blog

More and more we hear of “going green” not only in housing but in our use of everyday products from cleansers, to makeup, to food supplements.   The list can go on and on.   The more we hear of being good stewards of the environment and of our own bodies the more we begin to listen to the stories and news releases.

Who knows what problems we have caused ourselves with all the many chemical additives that have found their way into our soil, air and water–and ultimately into our food supplies! Of course we have some who are resigned to the fact that “we’re all going to get cancer at some point in our lives.”  

Why should we think that way?

6 Tips to Keeping Your Home Cooler

By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, August 3, 2010–Wow, it’s hot outside! The summer’s in full swing with no signs of cooling. And while you may be tempted to crank up the A/C, remember – you won’t be nearly as excited to see that electric bill next month.

To save some money — and, don’t forget, energy! — here are six tips that might just help.

1. Avoid heat build-up in your home “ The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out. This can be done by closing the drapes on windows facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon). You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.
2. Use ventilation and circulation to cool your home “ Instead of automatically turning on the air conditioner on hot days, try cooling your home with window and ceiling fans. Circulating air can make your home feel cool and comfortable in a much more efficient way than air conditioning. There is also the option of a whole house fan (a large ventilating fan installed in you attic that expels hot air out of your home) which can circulate air throughout your entire home.
3. Keep air conditioning efficient and to a minimum “ When you do have to use air conditioning, there are ways to make it more efficient. First of all, turn up the temperature setting on your air conditioner by a couple of degrees. Most people keep the temperature setting lower than it needs to be, hence using more energy than is needed to keep your home cool. It is recommended that you keep the temperature at about 25 ° C (77 ° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner once your home has reached a comfortable temperature. By coupling minimum air conditioning with reducing the amount of heat entering your home, you can keep it cool without using excess energy. It isn™t recommended that you leave your air conditioner on when you leave your house, but if you™re going to do so, turn the temperature setting up a few more degrees while you™re gone to about 28 ° C (82 ° F). Also, remember to turn off your air conditioner if you™re going to be away from your home for more than a day. It is also important to make sure your cooling vents aren™t blocked so that the energy being used is going towards actually cooling your home and not being wasted. Furthermore, keep rooms that don’t need cooling, such as closets, closed off when you’re air conditioning.
4. Make sure your home isn™t losing cool air “ By weather-stripping and caulking around windows, doors and electrical outlets on outer walls, you can prevent losing cool air from your home and prevent hot air from getting in. Improve your home™s insulation on outer walls, again to keep cool air in, and hot air out. You should also consider installing storm doors for the same reasons if your home doesn™t already have them. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed. These provide an extra barrier against the escape of cool air. All of these options will make cooling your home more efficient and will save you money on your energy bill.
5. Select energy-efficient cooling systems “ If you™re in the market for a new cooling system, there are many new technologies that are much more efficient than older versions. As with other appliances, you should look for the Energy Star logo and compare the amount of electricity each uses.
6. Use the coolest parts of your home “ On hot days, parts of your house will naturally stay cooler than others. For example, if you have a basement it will remain cool even during the hottest part of the day (this is because the cool air in your home will sink down to your basement). One way you can reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home is to do more in cooler areas of your home. This way, you won’t have to use energy to stay cool.

I know hot weather is still here in middle Tennessee at least for a few more weeks.   Maybe by late September it will really feel like football weather and those of us who like sweaters to wear and not being a “sweater” will rejoice with the Fall season.

The market is funny.   Pockets of real estate all around the country are rebounding and people are beginning to ignore the on again off again terror reports on the economy.   Bad news sells commercials and keeps sponsors spending their money.   It was the same when newspaper/magazine advertizing was king.

The good news is business like the weather does run in cycles.   If you begin to charge too much for a product and the value isn’t there competition jumps in the shake up the market place.   If you have a good price and are making money other vendors jump on the bandwagon and try to copy your success.  

 If you’re not efficient you can survive in good times.   However when bad times hit and they eventually will you go out of business or get a bailout from the government…or you tighten your belt, work smarter, economize where you can and try to provide the best value in the marketplace and gain market share.

People still will want your product or services if they perceive value and when the good times return you’ll be better, stronger and ahead of the game.

You can almost hear the groans.   Collectively, students, teachers and parents let out a sigh of relief, exasperation and resignation as the summer comes to an end.   Depending on where you are on the continuum it may be a happy time, anxious time or just another year!

I always have looked forward to something new.   I must admit the unknown has caused me some anxious moments.  FDR was right though when he said “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.”   He was speaking to a nation in much more dire circumstances than we are today.   But with every change in the status quo it brings with it opportunity.   We do live in a great nation.   We have more opportunity here than nearly any other place on the planet.

 Let’s not hold ourselves back with all the negatives.   Let’s turn off the TV, back off from the negative, roll up our sleeves and get to work at something.   Anything.   Just do it.   Advantages come for those who work hard and look for opportunities not excuses.

Ah yes Spring is in the air and young men’s thoughts turn to…basketball!   I once heard someone say this time of year is the ultimate reality show – drama, action, and  thousands of subplots.Legends are  made and “kings” topple.  

The March epic is  really a commentary on life itself.   Preparation, skill and dedication are rewarded but the final  ingredient is desire.   Who wants it the most?   Who is willing to expend their very last bit of energy and skill on the hardwoods sometimes even in the face of a more talented foe.  

Drama at its highest.   Which story will be told best?

Ah yes Spring is in the air and young men’s thoughts turn to…basketball!   I once heard someone say this time of year is the ultimate reality show – drama, action, and  thousands of subplots.Legends are  made and “kings” topple.  

The March epic is  really a commentary on life itself.   Preparation, skill and dedication are rewarded but the final  ingredient is desire.   Who wants it the most?   Who is willing to expend their very last bit of energy and skill on the hardwoods sometimes even in the face of a more talented foe.  

Drama at its highest.   Which story will be told best?

With all the doom and gloom on the news and in the papers it’s easy to fall into the same dreary routine as the rest of the world.   What sets those who always seem to be walking in sunshine from those who always seem to be walking under a cloud?

I believe it is a matter of attitude.   Abraham Lincoln is said to have once stated that most people are about as happy as they want to be.   It’s true.   Whatever we dwell upon, whatever we constantly talk about (good or bad) is what we become!   The Bible states “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”  

What a wonderful statement!   It means that change for the better doesn’t have to be dependent on some quirk of fate, or being at the right place at the right time.   God has given us a wonderful gift.   We just need to search the right place for the “pearl of great value!”   (If this sounds cryptic to you send me an email and I’ll tell you exactly what I mean).

Our whole life, the lives of others we touch can be changed by grasping this concept and putting into practice.   It is truly a great “secret” — learn it, live it, share it.

For many people a home of their own means a place they can hang their hat and do it anyway they want to…   That “home” be it a condo, a small cottage, or a mansion is their piece of property.

We like to feel we own something.   Some may call that a selfish thing but I don’t think of it in those terms.   Individuals like to have something they can call their own.   Sometimes it is a concrete object like a house, sometimes it is an intangible like your heritage, who you are and where you came from.

One of the benefits of this great country (and I think it is great after having been to other countries who do not share the opportunities of this nation) is we have the chance to participate in the election of our leaders.

We don’t have bloody coups or military take overs.   We don’t have rampant starvation, or diseases.   We often have access to some type of medical care and certainly more access to over the counter medications than most countries in the world.

Transportation usually isn’t a problem.   Even when gas was $4-5 dollars a gallon many people’s choices were to cut back on eating out or to not go to a movie.  

We live in comfortable homes of varying degrees.   Some large, some small, but most have inside plumbing, heating and cooling.  

In summary for all our nation’s faults I can’t say there is another place I can think of this side of heaven that I’d rather be.   Life will always have its challenges and we need to remember to keep things in perspective.

I’m a guy.   I consider myself somewhat ordinary in that fact.   I enjoy sports and I enjoy watching them.   Unfortunately these days I find it easier to watch them than to participate in them.  

Now we’re about to run full steam into the “fall” football season!   I must admit I’m excited and dismayed at the same time.   While I enjoy football I’ve never been able to get very excited about watching it in 90+ degree weather.

 The real estate market has a parallel to this right now.   The market is “hot” for those who are buyers.   Prices are somewhat lower and selection is very good.   Donald Trump in an interview with ABC said this is a great time to buy!

So you might be saying “What’s this got to do with football?”

Well don’t find yourself sitting on the sidelines in 2009 or 2010 saying “I should have gotten in the game in 2008!”  

Whether you’re a home buyer or a home seller the money market is of interest to you.   If you’re buying, you want the best rates you can get and have the confidence that they will keep their word come closing time!  

If you’re selling, and often the seller is also a buyer, you’re also wondering what the rates are since the numbers could affect the quantity and quality of the offers you could potentially get.

Often it’s a good idea to stay familiar or have an agent who will stay connected for you so you can react to the marketplace and put yourself in the best position to maximize your investment.

Now more than ever a marketing plan can mean the difference between your house sitting on the market for months and your house selling in the timeframe you need.   What is your agent’s marketing plan?   How committed are you to take action?

Ask questions, get alternatives and make an informed decision.   It’s your home, your future.   Be proactive!   In Wilson County we are lucky to be in a market that is in better condition than others in the country.   Whether you’re buying or selling a house the more you know the better decision you can make.   It is after all the largest investment that most people ever make!