DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
Charlotte Investment Homes.....December Newsletter
Not only are we a full service Real Estate firm, we also specialize in Property Management. If you are a real estate agent and have a client with 1 or more properties that they are tired of managing on their own then we do offer a referral program. Email John Dietrich at [email protected].
Things to do in the Charlotte Area this December!
If you are looking for fun things to do in Charlotte this December here's a partial list of holiday fun below.
Starting December 1st and continuing until December 31st, The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra plays hourly for free in Founders Hall uptown.
Running all month long open every night but Christmas is the Speedway Christmas located at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with more than 3 million lights and 800 different displays. Thursday through Sunday you can wander around the infield and see food and craft vendors, a petting zoo and even get photos with Santa. There is an admission fee at the gate.
Wednesday through Sunday there is WBT Holiday on Ice located at the Nascar Plaza with 7,000 square feet of ice skating, this continues to January 4th. There is currently a Groupon offer on this for 50% off.
The Carolina Panthers have two home hames this month. Come on out and support them December 14th against the Buccaneers and December 21st against the Browns.
You can also catch a play at the Blumenthal or go see the Charlotte Symphony Pops December 4-7, or the Nutcracker on one of the many nights it is in town this December.
There is plenty more to see and experience in Charlotte for the holiday season from shopping, fine dining, The Billy Graham Library to Christmas Town USA located in McAdenville.
5 Tips to Save on Winter Heating Costs
With fall already here and winter fast on its heels, there are lots of things to look forward to. The winter season brings the holidays, sweaters and scarves, and cozy nights curled up by the fire. Unfortunately, this blustery season also brings with it higher heating costs. It’s crucial to insulate your home and make it as energy efficient as possible. Follow these tips to save on winter heating costs.
1. Turn It Down
The most obvious way to keep heating costs low is to turn down your thermostat, especially when you’re at work, sleeping or on vacation. If you keep your thermostat below 65 degrees, you can get a better night’s sleep, prolong the life of your fridge and even help you lose weight (by forcing your body to speed metabolism to regulate its temperature)! When on vacation, you can safely set your thermostat as low as 55 degrees without your pipes freezing. According to Energy.gov, you can save 1 percent on your energy bill for every degree you lower your thermostat.
Another temperature to lower in your home is the one on your water heater. Whether gas or electric, set your water heater’s maximum temperature to 120 degrees to save money.
2. Vents
To decrease heating costs, another important tip is to keep your vents clear. If they are on the floor, make sure that they are not blocked by furniture or rugs. This will keep your heater from working overtime. Be sure to close the vents in rooms you don’t use, shutting the door and blocking the bottom of the door to keep warm air from getting into the unused room.
3. Fireplace
If you don’t use your fireplace, be sure to keep damper closed. Leaving the damper open is like leaving a 48-inch window wide open during the winter and can add up to hundreds of dollars in energy costs each winter.
4. Drafty Windows and Doors
If you’re not sure if your windows and doors are drafty, an easy way to check is by holding a candle near the frame and watching to see if it flickers. Once you’ve identified open areas, apply rubber weatherstripping to large gaps and fill in smaller areas with caulk. Another way to keep your home warm is by using heavy curtains as extra insulation on windows.
If warm air is escaping in gaps underneath your doors that weatherstripping can’t fix, roll up a hand towel and place it at the base. If you’re crafty you could even make a DIY draft snake.
5. Get Cozy
Since the reason we crank up the heat is to make ourselves warm, it makes sense to lower the temperature and simply wear some warm clothes. You don’t need to wear a parka around the house, but put on a sweater and some wool socks, or buy yourself a warm, fuzzy bathrobe to don when you’re padding around the house this winter.
By Sarah Kellner, Home Depot
Being a Self-Managing Landlord isn't easy, that’s why you need a reliable Property Management company!
Sitting here in my office in downtown Charlotte, I think I have heard it all. However, daily, I hear so many myths and common misconceptions that our tenants, investors and even my colleagues in real estate believe about landlords. The biggest reason I added Property Management to our services as a real estate investment firm is that our investors needed a reliable property management company and they were not ready to step into a landlord role. Rather than letting you all believe the stereo-types here are a couple of these Myths and my thoughts on them.
Landlord Myth #1 Tenants are Naggers
Sure, sometimes your tenant may call you on a Saturday night and have an emergency that needs looking after. The majority of tenants are not out to make your life difficult. Your home, is their home. Truth: If the roof is leaking it's not only an inconvenience for them but reporting it quickly can save you thousands in the long run. You want your tenants to keep you aware of what is going on in your rental property considering this is a major investment. The reason you would hire a property management company like ours is because we field those calls and get our team out there, even at 11pm on Saturday.
Landlord Myth #2 All Landlords are Slumlords
Landlords are responsible property owners that want to keep their investments in good condition. Truth: They care about the property and your safety in the home. A property manager will conduct inspections before your tenant moves in and periodically throughout the lease term to determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
Landlord Myth #3 Passive Income Landlords just sit back and collect your rent money and don’t have to worry. Passive income means money you earn while you sit back and think about other things. Truth: I can’t think of one self-managing landlord that sits back and just collects a check. There can be quiet spells but the majority of properties are like having another job. There are many different tasks that have to be done for each property if you chose to do your own maintenance on the property. Our office can walk you through the process of what you are responsible for and what we will handle for you.
Landlord Myth #4 Purchasing an investment property is “SAFE”
Buying investment property is not always a safe bet. Real Estate investment is a good investment most of the time. Truth: You need to consider many things when looking at properties. Many factors go into the decision making including, property appreciation, vacancy rates, maintenance costs, tax implications, property taxes and more. An experienced investment firm can help you with the decision.
Not to toot our own horn but our office can help you purchase your investment property and property manage it for a small monthly percentage. Not only will this give you a start on building your investment portfolio but with my experience and knowledge of the Charlotte real estate market you will have a wealth of knowledge to draw from for free. Our office will work out a plan for your property and a notification system for if there are maintenance issues. All it takes is one phone call and we can get you started on the right path whether it’s your first investment property or you are looking to have someone else handle your property management.
John Dietrich/ CEO Charlotte Investment Homes
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