Fall has officially arrived and there is no denying that chilly winter weather is not far behind! Since many of us will be spending more time indoors in the coming months, Fall is the perfect time to get your home ready for the change of seasons. Here are some helpful hints to get your home in tip-top shape!
Inside the Home
1. Check smoke detectors and change the batteries: Consider adding a smoke detector in each bedroom and have at least one on the main level.
2. Install a carbon monoxide detector: When houses are closed up in the winter, the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning from malfunctioning gas appliances increases dramatically.
3. Clean furnace ducts: Dirt inside ducts can decrease a furnace's efficiency and add dust to the indoor air.
4. Change furnace filters: Consider spending a few extra dollars for a filter with a higher efficiency rating.
5. Clean and inspect the fireplace: Before lighting the first log, clean the chimney and firebox to remove last year's ashes, soot and creosote.
Outside the House
1. Check weather stripping: Replace any weather-stripping that is worn around doors and windows.
2. Check and clean gutters: Clean the gutters of debris and ensure that the opening from the gutter to the downspout is not obstructed. Don't forget to look for the loose joints or other structural problems on the gutters and repair, if needed.
3. Adjust exterior grade: Make sure everything slopes away from your foundation to avoid problems with ground water.
The 10 Most Haunted Cities in America
10. Portland, OR
9. San Francisco, CA
8. Chicago, IL
7. Charlestown, SC
6. St. Augustine, FL
5. San Antonio, TX
4. New Orleans, LA
3. Salem, MA
2. Gettysburg, PA
1. Savannah, GA
Northeast Foliage Report
Favorite Foliage Drives:
- Vermont: try an 88-mile loop in the center of the state along Routes 100, 107, 12 and 106 through Gaysville, Barnard, Woodstock, Ludlow and Killington.
- New Hampshire's White Mountains, including the town of Jack
- Connecticut: laced with timely old country roads, including US Route 44 through Natchaug State Forrest and State Route 154 through Old Saybrook.
For the latest in FOLIAGE nationwide, turn to the Foliage Network. They update their foliage maps every couple days. www.foliagenetwork.com
WHERE IN THE WORLD...St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine, is the oldest city and port in the Continental US! It is located in a region of Florida known as "The First Coast" or "Florida's Historic Coast". According to the 2010 US Census, the population was 12,975.
A popular travel destination, the city is known for it's historic homes from various periods and Spanish colonial-era buildings. Other popular tourist attractions include: The St. Augustine Alligator Farm, the Fountain of Youth and historic sites of the civil-rights movement.
St. Augustine also has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in the US. With a haunted lighthouse, hotels, restaurants, parks and cemeteries, pretty much everything in this city is haunted. Ghost Hunters filmed a particularly spooky ghost hunt in the St. Augustine Lighthouse a few years ago. The lighthouse even offers tours where you can visit at night and learn about those who have died on site.
Need ideas for planning a trip to St. Augustine? Let us know!
Data through 8/31/12
Median Sale Price $156,300
1-Year Change +1%
Median Home Size 1,624 sqft
Median List Price $198,000
Ave Property Taxes $3,347
Zillow Value Index $155,000
Ave Year Built 1996
Homes Sold in 8/12 165
PLACES TO GO | EVENTS | THINGS TO SEE
Oct 5 to 28 | The Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT www.lakecompounce.com
Through Oct 7 | Apple Harvest Festival, Southington, CT www.southington.org
Oct 13 | Country Pumpkin Festival, Westmoor Park, West Hartford, CT www.westmoorpark.org
Oct 13 to 14 | Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival, Newport, RI www.bowenswharf.com
Oct 18 to 21 | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Bridgeport, CT www.Ringling.com
Through Oct 21 | King Richard's Faire, Carver, MA www.kingrichardsfaire.net
Through Oct 31 | Pumpkintown USA, East Hampton, CT http://pumpkintown.com
Oct 31 | Happy Halloween!
Through Nov 4 | Yankees vs. Red Sox Corn Maze, Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT www.lymanorchards.com
Closing Congratulations: John Allen, Matt & Julia Forneris and the Cifaldi Family
Rental Congratulations: Michael Drzewiecki and Benjamin & Jackie Albert
Referral Thanks: Kyle Fournier, Marc Calandruccio, Andrew Wood, Damond Dampier and Christin Cifaldi
