Welcome

WELCOME to my blog page! If you have any questions concerning real estate, call me at 573-761-3485, or email me at hankvogt@yahoo.com , or visit my website at http://www.hankshouses.com/ . Thanks for stopping by, and come back often for information, tips, and news concerning the real estate market in Jefferson city!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Things Not to Do Before Purchasing a Home

Purchasing a home is the probably one the largest single investments a person makes. During the purchase process many folks get excited about moving into their new home. They start buying furniture or appliances .... on credit. After they have applied for and been pre-qualified for a home mortgage, they might change jobs. These kinds of actions may cause delays in the purchase process. Here is a short list of things NOT to do during the home purchase process.

A. NO major purchase of any kind
B. DON'T move money around
C. DON'T Change Banks ...or Jobs

Read more here

Summer Grilling Safety

Summer barbeque season is here. Family and friends make it a tradition to gather all summer long and enjoy great food prepared on an outdoor grill. Here are 10 tips to make these events safe.

1. Clean your grease pan or dripping pan frequently
2. Keep a spray bottle or squirt bottle filled with water handy while you're cooking.
3. Change your lava rocks periodically, or consider replacing them with porcelain rocks.
4. Check your hoses and connections for gas leaks.
5. If your grill bottom has vent holes, be certain that it also has an ash can to catch hot embers.
6. Use a cylindrical water smoker or "bullet smoker" only on a concrete or nonflammable surface.
7. Wet down burning embers before disposing of them.
8. Keep your barbecuing set-up in an open area away from the structure of your home.
9. If you do use a chemical starter, use it safely and according to the instructions that come with the product.
10. Never -- under any circumstances -- start a grill fire using gasoline.

5 Summer Home Improvement Projects


As the weather gets warmer there are many projects you may find your self needing to complete. Some projects should be looked at once a year typically each summer.


Project #1- Decks

You will need to give your deck a good cleaning and check for any water damage from the winter. They make scrub for the decks, scrub your deck with this and let dry one day. Then you should apply a fresh coat of sealer providing there is no water damage to the deck. If there is water damage then you may want to sand it and refinish it. Then each year apply the sealer to it and you should have no more problems.


Project #2- Caulk

Caulking is something that should also be done once a year. You should caulk around the exterior joints and around the windows. Just because its warm out doesn't mean you wont need to do this. In the summer you are trying to keep the warm air out and this is a vital place that READ MORE TIPS HERE

Mortgage Rates as of 06/23/2009

Rates effective as of 06/23/2009

CONVENTIONAL FIXED RATE MORTGAGES
Term (Fixed):

30 year 5.50%

20 year 5.50%

15 year 5.00%

10 year 4.875%

Rates subject to change at any timeProvided by Lynne Bateman, Mid America Bank, 573-896-4790 Rates quoted above are for qualified borrowers with a 95% loan-to-value (LTV) or less. Please call for rates on mortgage loans with 95.01%-97% LTV. Rates subject to change at any time without notice Credit scores may adversely affect quoted rates.

If you're thinking of selling or buying in the Jefferson City Missouri Area, contact me direct at (573)761-3485 or online at http://www.hankshouses.com/ . “I want to be your Jefferson City Real Estate Resource ~ I am at your service!"