How to avoid a Griswold family Christmas

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is said to be one of the most enjoyed Christmas movies of all time. Whether it’s the crazy in-laws or the unwanted pets, many of us can relate to the movie in one way or another. In fact, the scene when Aunt Bethany’s cat chews the Christmas lights actually points out one of the dangers of the season—fire.

As the busy holiday season approaches and homes become a frenzy of family and friends, important safety concerns can sometimes be overlooked—especially in the kitchen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) “cooking is the leading cause of December residential building structure fires” followed closely by heating unit fires.

With property damages from residential fires costing nearly $7 billion in 2006, holiday fires should be one less thing on your Christmas list this year. So, here are some tips and products to protect you and your family.

Cooking
Placing cook books, oven mitts, kitchen towels, and even wooden spoons too close to a stove burner is the easiest way to start a kitchen fire. In case of such a fire, quickly locate your kitchen fire extinguisher and smother the fire. If a grease fire is ignited, don’t use water to extinguish the fire. Splashing water on a grease fire will actually cause it to spread. The best way to extinguish a grease fire is to smother it with a sizeable amount of baking soda or use a fire extinguisher. Also remember not to leave your oven mitt in the oven. They do catch fire. For a fire resistant oven mitt try SiliconeZone oven mitts from Target. They are safe up to 675⁰F.

Heating Appliances
As the weather gets colder, many people are turning on the heat and cuddling up next to a fire. But beware. Heating fires are the second leading cause of all residential fires, and this is mainly due to mechanical failures. Here are several ways to avoid heating fires. Keep fabrics away from heating units since they can easily catch fire. Purchase a fireplace screen to prevent anything from accidentally falling into the fire, and do not overload electrical outlets. The Lasko oscillating ceramic tower heater includes safety features like a self-regulating heat element and automatic overheat protection.

Holiday décor
Holiday décor such as Christmas trees and candles are also responsible for many holiday fires. Whether you’re lighting a menorah or pine scented candles, fire safety should always be observed. When working with candles, place them on a stable surface away from drafts and ceiling fans. The best way to keep a candle flame safe is by placing it in a tall hurricane vase. As for menorahs and kinaras that can’t be placed in a vase, display them in an open space away from curtains, furniture and other flammable decorations. Also, remember that overheated Christmas lights on a dry Christmas wreath or tree may cause a fire.

So remember this season, even though your house is full of family members, it’s still important to pay close attention to the burners, space heaters and candles. While you may not enjoy eating cat food on your Jell-O mold, you don’t want to recreate a scene similar to when Clark Griswold set Uncle Lewis’s toupee on fire.

Customizing Your Home Search Online

More than ever, consumers are beginning their search for a new home online. Check out these tips for using the internet and getting the most out of your home search.

There are hundreds of Web sites with home listings including giants like Trulia and Zillow, but these sites don’t necessarily offer a personalized, welcoming experience. Real Living’s Web 2.0 is the first of its kind in real estate. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.

My Real Living (Web 2.0) was launched three years ago, well ahead of its time, and offers consumers the opportunity to customize and save searches, receive up-to-date listings, choose and communicate with an agent, record and store notes about each home, schedule events and track how often their home has been viewed. With 4,000 new registrants each month, Real Living’s Web 2.0 is clearly an effective technological tool that allows consumers to be in control and stay connected to their real estate agent.

Another fun and informal way to search for a home is through Google Maps. Not only do Google Maps provide remarkably clear aerial views, but they also Type in the address of a home you’re interested in and click on “street view.” Street view allows you to evaluate the exterior of the home and get a feel for the neighborhood and community before you visit the location. Scan the area to make note of nearby restaurants and movie theaters too!

By taking advantage of all these tools, you’ll be sure to find the home of your dreams.

Choosing between and older home and a new build

The age-old debate between purchasing a new home or an existing one is worth rehashing because when it comes down to it, both options have their benefits as well as their downfalls.

The Argument for an Older Home:

A Charming Setting
With an older home comes an element of charm that you can’t easily recreate in newer homes. A mature canopy of trees and larger lots can be a selling point for those raising a family.

What You See is What You Get
When it comes to older neighborhoods, what you see is what you get. You know what to expect—the good and the bad. If you choose to build a home in an emerging residential development, you may have to deal with the hassle of frequent construction trucks, loud hammering and dusty conditions as your neighbors’ homes are built. While waiting for your home to be built, there’s also that uncertainty that you may end up with something a little less than ideal if construction doesn’t go as planned. Many also argue that homes aren’t built as well as they used to be. You be the judge.

Historic Homes
If you opt for a much older house, one that qualifies as a historic home, you may be able to receive a tax break. The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program states that individuals rehabilitating historic properties can apply to receive 25 percent of the rehabilitation expenditures incurred during the rehabilitation process. This incentive is valid for up to 100 projects per year.

The Argument for a New Build:

Home Safety and Maintenance
With a newer home comes a stricter code, which helps minimize household hazards. Asbestos, lead paint and other issues aren’t a concern in newer homes because new knowledge has surfaced about the dangers of these toxins.

Customization
When you build a new home, you typically have a say in the design and implementation of rooms from start to finish. Picking the countertops, carpeting and cabinetry are some of the calls you get to make when you’re creating the home of your dreams. In an older home, you’re required to work around the established build, and remodeling can be a cumbersome process. It’s also much easier to attain green certification for your home from the beginning.

The American Family in 2008
New homes take into account the lifestyles of the modern American family—location of bedrooms, flow from one room to the next and so forth. Newer housing developments sometimes feature clubs with kids’ activities, swimming pools, fitness centers and playgrounds. Many parents like to see their kids learn to ride a bike in a cul-de-sac, and these developments typically feature less traffic, residential streets and sidewalks.

If you’re in the market for a new home, but not quite sure if you want an older home or a newer build, contact your agent or visit RealLiving.com for more information.

Picking the Perfect Mortgage Lender

If you’re looking to secure a loan that will help you purchase the home of your dreams, it’s important to have an ethical, qualified and dependable mortgage lender on your side—protecting your best interests and helping you get the loan that's right for you. Your lender should be a trusted partner who understands the array of loans offered, and can match them to your needs, wants and desires.

So how do you go about selecting a mortgage lender? You should also look for lenders who are accredited to show that they are properly trained in the field. Always ask for references and call those references to find out how satisfied they were with the service and ultimately their loan. Agents typically have good referrals for mortgage lenders, so don’t forget to consult your real estate agent.

Also start by figuring out what you think you can afford. Use our financial calculators to help you crunch some numbers. Figuring your budget and what types of loans are available is a great place to start.

When comparing lenders look to see who offer the best interest rates, and ask to see a list of applicable fees and closing costs upfront to compare prices. If a prospective lender refuses to quote interest rates or service costs, move to a different lender. It’s important to find a lender that gives you direct answers. If a lender quotes numbers that seem way too good to be true, then make sure you investigate his or her services. There may be hidden fees and some unethical practice taking place.

Real Living Mortgage offers a one-stop-shop that will make the home-buying and selling process less stressful. For more information that can assist you with finding the perfect mortgage lender, contact your local agent today or check out http://mortgage.realliving.com/.