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Get Smart about Pool Safety

A swimming pool is no doubt an amenity many homeowners in the desert enjoy during the summer months. Tragically, however, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death in Southern Nevada for young children, and the majority of deaths occur in the family pool.

Luckily, there are easy ways to prevent unintentional drowning. Here are just a few security measures:

• Doors and windows should be alarmed to alert family members when opened. Secure and lock all doors, windows and gates leading to the pool/spa area when not in use.
• A power-operated pool safety cover is the safest and easiest to use.
• A poolside phone is an essential part of a safe pool environment that allows access to 911 and avoids leaving a child unattended to answer a phone call.
• Install a life saving ring, shepherd's hook and CPR instructions should be mounted by the pool. Rescue equipment should be in good repair.
• A non-climbable five-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence. Openings should be no more than four inches; wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces.
• Use self-closing, self latching five-foot fence gates and side gates leading to the pool/spa area, with latches above a child's reach (54" high). The gate should open away from the pool. Never prop gates open.

Pool owners should also consider being trained in CPR at a local health organization, and enrolling children in age-appropriate swim classes. For more information, consult the Southern Nevada Health District's drowning prevention page at www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org.

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Credit scores range between 200 and 850, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:

1. Your payment history - Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
2. How much you owe - If you owe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it's a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
3. The length of your credit history - In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to the Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
4. How much new credit you have - New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
5. The type of credit you use - Generally, it's desirable to have more than one type of credit - installment loans, credit, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

How to Spot Common Energy Leaks

It can be pricey to heat or cool a home. By checking the home's energy efficiency, you might unveil some ways to trim monthly costs.

You don't necessarily need a pro to assess your property's energy deficiencies. With a little elbow grease, you can get a good sense of where your home is leaking hot and cool air.

Inspect exposed ducts. They may not work efficiently if they're dirty, have small holes, or if they pass through unfinished portions of the home and aren't insulated. Look for whether intersections of duct pipe are joined correctly. Since ducts are typically made out of thin metal that easily conducts heat, uninsulated or poorly insulated ducts in unconditioned spaces can lose 10 percent to 30 percent of the energy used to heat and cool your home.

Look for stains on insulation. These often indicate air leaks from a hole behind the insulation, such as a crack in an exterior wall.

Check insulation R-value or thickness. Where insulation is exposed (in an attic, unfinished basement, or around ducts, water heaters, and appliances), use a ruler to measure thickness, recommends the Department of Energy. Use an online insulation calculator to compare your results against those suggested for your region. Only a professional's thermographic scan can reveal if insulation is consistent within a wall; it can settle or may not be uniformly installed.

Check your home's exterior envelope. Hold a candle or stick of incense near windows, doors, electrical outlets, range hoods, plumbing and ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and ceiling fans in bathrooms. When smoke blows, you've got a draft that may need caulking, sealant, weather stripping, or insulation.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine

June 2010 Sales Statistics

The effect of the expiration of the first time home buyers federal tax credit expiring on April 30, 2010 is reflected by an increase in the days on market shown above.

Beginning in January, the days on market decreased monthly from 63 days to 54 days in May. After the tax credit expired, the days on market increased to 57 days in June, but during the same period the number of total closing increased in June to 3,360 up 16.5% over May.

The increase in available housing inventory equates to more buyer opportunities to take advantage of the undervalued properties that are currently available.

Good Smells, Bad Smells

How does your home smell? It might be worth an extra sniff because buyers certainly will take notice.

Sensory research shows that the smell of a home can affect a person's mood, according to Terry Molnar, executive director of The Sense of Smell Institute, a New York - based organization that focuses on the importance of smell to human psychology, behavior, and quality of life.

A light floral fragrance can put people in a more pleasant mood, while citrus scents, such as lemon and grapefruit, tend to have an energizing effect, he says. "Vanilla is one scent that's universal around the globe," Molnar says. "People find it comforting and relaxing."

But be careful: When you add smells to a home, it can be viewed as an attempt to cover up a bad odor. And if that's the intent, it can make the problem worse.

So what if you do need to get rid of a bad smell? Here are some ideas from staging professionals:

• Take the trash out. It's simple, but it can make a big difference. When the home is being shown, empty the garbage often.
• Snuff out the smoke. Eliminate all smoking inside and even outside, particularly when the doors or windows are open. An ionizer can help remove smoke smells.
• Watch the cooking. The smell of lamb, broccoli, garlic, fish, and eggs can stick around long after the food has been eaten.
• Wash Fido. Pets can be a big source of smells. Limit the pet to an outdoor area or a certain room in the house that can be regularly cleaned. Also, clean the pet's bedding regularly.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine