May, 2009

Despite all of the bleak economic news we’re being bombarded with daily, there may never be another time as good as now to buy a second home. With prices low, there are many great deals to be found, according to Ms. Bridges. And, not just in Savannah! Everywhere you look, prices have dropped.

But Ms. Bridges cautions you still need to be realistic — while some very high end homes are being sold at drastically reduced prices, most vacation properties are not going for pennies on the dollar. However, she suggests that you should feel free to negotiate. It’s okay to come in with a lower offer, as long as it’s not ridiculous.

When you’re looking for a property, location is key: find not only a place you like, but also a place you can get to, with amenities you want. A good property will also have a strong rental market, as a second home isn’t just a place to vacation, it’s often an investment, too. If you’re going to put money into a place, it’s important to do your research.

Also consider looking at properties that you might not think of as traditional vacation homes. If you find a subdivision in a city you like, you could find a house in that neighborhood for a much lower price than one on the beach.

Just remember, while it’s a buyer’s market now, there’s no guarantee it will stay this way. Ms. Bridges says that, like all things, the real estate market is cyclical. If you wait too long, you might end up missing your chance to own a slice of paradise.

Molly Bridges is the President of the Savannah Board of REALTORs® in Savannah, Georgia. She’s been a REALTOR® in the area for ten years.

The eternal debate: Gas vs. Charcoal

The first question we asked Jeffrey was “Which is better, gas or charcoal?” Jeffrey very diplomatically told us that both are great, but that he uses gas more often than coals. Why? “Because I like to just turn the knob and hear the clicking and know I’m good to go”, he says. Jeffrey claims that, for him, gas is easy, quick, and more precise. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like charcoal. He says, “I know there are people who say the flavor can’t be beat.” So gas or charcoal, the choice is yours.

What to grill?

While people tend to stick to the same old burgers and hot dogs, Jeffrey suggests trying something new this summer. Use a spice rub or a paste to flavor your foods. He suggests rubbing it into chicken, pork or beef, and then letting it sit for a few hours to let the spices really penetrate – this also makes your leftovers taste better! So, don’t be afraid to season your food!

Also consider grilling your side items. Go with whatever is cheap and fresh, Jeffrey adds. Right now, he likes corn on the cob, or even a variety of summer squashes, including zucchini. He even grills greens! Try slicing a radicchio in half, brushing it with olive oil and sprinkling it with salt and pepper. Toss it on the grill just until the outer leaves get a little bit of a char. Serve it like you would a salad, dressed with some fresh cheese, and a little more oil.

Whatever you choose to grill, remember to be safe. Don’t allow children or pets around the appliance, and always keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Jeffrey Saad has been a chef and restaurateur for over 25 years. He also owns a real estate brokerage in California. He is a finalist on the new season of Next Food Network Star, premiering on the Food Network on June 7th.

Last week, we mentioned that curb appeal really adds to the value of your home, and a good looking lawn is part of that. Bruce says there are three simple steps to keeping your lawn healthy:

Mowing: Most people are mow their lawns too short. Try using the highest setting on your mower, and cut the lawn higher than three inches. Why? A slightly taller lawn encourages deeper root growth, making the grass more efficient at using water, which means more drought tolerance. A lawn with healthy roots is also better able to fight off disease and pests, and it also makes it more durable if you’ve got kids playing on it.

Water: All lawns need to be watered, but maybe not as much as you think – your lawn only needs about an inch per week. Bruce suggests getting a simple rain gauge, or even using a tuna can to measure how much water your lawn is getting. If it’s raining a lot where you are, you can water less. And don’t over-water your lawn. It can lead to fungus.

Feeding: Like all living things, your lawn needs nutrients to survive. Fertilize your lawn two to four times a year, using a product designed for your area and the time of year. Make sure you follow the directions carefully, and only use as much as specified. Don’t forget that If you use too much, you could burn your lawn! A well-fed lawn means a lawn that is more resistant to pests and weeds.

And speaking of pests, how you control them varies. You’ll need to diagnose what kind of bug is bugging you. You can treat the problem yourself with available pesticides or herbicides. When in doubt, call in an expert.

Bruce Augustin is the Chief Agronomist for Scotts Lawn Care. If you need help diagnosing a lawn problem, you can check out their website at www.scotts.com or call their consumer help line at 1-888-270-3714.

Home maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. And regular maintenance also helps your home hold its value. Try these five tips to help you get started:

1. Keep your cool when it comes to A/C

There’s nothing worse than going to crank up the air conditioning on a hot day and realizing all you’re getting is a lot of hot air. Be sure to schedule a service call to have someone give your unit a check-up, and give it a thorough cleaning according to the instructions in the owner’s manual. Also, trim any shrubs that might be encroaching on the air conditioner — you wouldn’t want any leaves being sucked into that fan! You’ll also want to prevent algae and mold: If you have central air, open the access cap at the top of the pipe where evaporated moisture drips down, and pour a mix of bleach and water through to sanitize the pipe. If you’ve got window units, pour two capfuls of bleach into the condensation pan located under the cooling coils. This will also keep those nasty musty smells at bay!

2. Let the sunshine in!

Pick a sunny day and a friend, and wash those windows inside and out. Take down the blinds and the curtains if possible, as well as the exterior screens. Start by dry brushing the windows and outside trim with a broom to loosen and remove some of the dirt. You can use a rag, or a squeegee to clean the outside, and rinse with a garden hose. Regular dish soap will do the job; just don’t overdo it in the bucket because too many bubbles can lead to streaks! If you’ve got a two story house, you might want to hire someone to do those for you.

3. Let the breezes in, but keep the bugs out!

You should also be checking on your window and door screens. This is the perfect time to swap your storm doors for screen doors, as well as do repairs on your window screens. You should also give them a thorough cleaning using a large, soft-bristled brush dipped in warm soapy water, then hose the screens off and let them dry in the sun. This is easy to do while you’re washing the windows. If you need to repair the small tears, you can do it with needle and thread. If you’ve got large tears, you’ll need to replace the whole screen. You can either do it yourself, or hire someone to fix it for you.

4. Give your home’s skin a check-up, too.

While you’re out washing the windows, take a moment to examine the siding on your house, as well as the foundation. Take the time to trim shrubs and trees so nothing is rubbing up against the house, and keep a distance of at least two feet between your house and any plants or shrubs. These can damage your foundation if they’re too close, and are also the perfect entrance for a host of buggy intruders. You can rinse off the siding with a simple garden hose, or hire a professional with a pressure washer if your house is really dirty. You can use a mild bleach solution to take care of mold.

5. Lastly, check your home’s utilities.

Freezing and thawing can crack pipes and hoses, so try out your irrigation system before you really need it. Look for leaks, breaks, pooling water or damaged sprinkler heads, and then either fix it yourself or call someone in to fix it for you. There’s nothing worse than trying to fill a kiddie pool and coming up dry! Also, inspect all your exterior electrical outlets to make sure there’s no damage which could cause a short.

Just about anybody with a little skill can take care of everything we mentioned. But don’t forget that it’s okay to call in a professional any time a problem is over your head. It’s much better to catch a problem in its early stages, rather than find out after it’s caused irreparable damage!