There are many people who are spending more time at home these days. As a result, it is important for everyone to take steps to try to improve their quality of life at home. This means seasonal home improvement projects. With the weather nice outside, it is a great idea for everyone to think about how they can get ready for the next season. Therefore, there are a few top seasonal Home Improvement projects everyone should keep in mind.

One of the first projects that everyone should work on has to do with their HVAC unit. Right now, people probably are not running their HVAC unit much right now. Therefore, this is the perfect time for everyone to make sure they get their HVAC unit maintained. That way, if there are any issues that are spotted, they can be addressed before the HVAC unit is needed. 

Check The Roof And Gutters For Signs Of Issues

At the least you can fall outside, it is critical for homeowners to make sure they keep their gutters clear. Otherwise, rainwater might not be able to drain from the roof away from the house. This could contribute to roofing leaks that could wind up as expensive repair bills. For this reason, all homeowners should take the time to check their shingles, their flashing, their edging, and their gutters. This will make sure the house stays safe when the weather turns down. 

Look For Entry Points For Any Pests

Finally, homeowners also have to make sure they are able to keep any potential infestations away from their homes. There are lots of pests that are going to try to get inside the home as the temperature starts to drop outside. This could include silverfish, ants, cockroaches, and termites. When homeowners take the time to look for these entry points ahead of time, they can prevent these infestations from taking place. 

Think About Home Improvement Projects Now

These are a few of the top home improvement projects that all homeowners need to keep in mind. It is critical to take the time now to carry out these home improvement projects while the weather is nice. This can prevent problems in the future.

Filed under: Real Estate Tips by Julie Woodward
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Buying a new home is an exciting experience.  At the same time, it is also important for everyone to think about a few important topics that have to be discussed before they place an offer on a home. That way, everyone can rest easy, knowing they have done their due diligence when it comes to purchasing a new home.

Do Not Neglect The Noise Level Of The Neighborhood

One of the most commonly overlooked topics when it comes to buying a house is the noise level of the neighborhood. Some noise from the outside world is to be expected, particularly for those who move into a busy neighborhood. During a tour of the potential home, it is a good idea to ask realtors to lower the level of background noise. That way, people can get a good feel for what the potential neighborhood noise level might be like. 

Always Ask About The Age Of The Roof

One of the easiest facets of a house to overlook is the roof. At the same time, the roof is also one of the biggest parts of the home. Therefore, it is a good idea for everyone to make sure they do a thorough inspection of the roof. They should look for damages both from the outside as well as inside. Ask about the age of the roof as well. Be sure to check for damaged shingles.

Ask About The Age Of The HVAC System

Another topic that has to be discussed is the HVAC system. In general, people should expect to get between 15 and 20 years of life out of their HVAC system. If the HVAC system in the home is getting close to the point of replacement, then it might be a good idea to ask for a price reduction because the new homeowner is going to have to replace the HVAC system in the near future.

Perform Due Diligence Before Buying A Home

These are a few of the most important points that people have to follow when they are buying a new home. Asking about these issues ahead of time can prevent homeowners from being surprised down the road.

Filed under: Real Estate Tips by Julie Woodward
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El Constante Condominiums are some of the hottest on North Padre Island (they’re technically part of Corpus Christi), and it’s easy to see why. These affordable condos have everything buyers want: great location, excellent amenities, and so much more.

El Constante Condominiums on North Padre Island

El Constante Condominiums have been around since 1985, and since that time, they’ve continually earned the reputation for having great condos.

Amenities at El Constante Condominiums

Aside from the fact that El Constante Condominiums are close to everything (including Schlitterbahn Water Park, Packery Channel, and the Bob Hall Pier), this complex has some great amenities, including:

• Beach location
• Large community swimming pool with hot tub
• Wifi throughout the community
• Spectacular landscaping
• Security lighting
• Private patios and balconies
• Roomy condos with deluxe kitchens
• Walk-in closets
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
• Solar-glazed windows
• Cathedral ceilings in two-bedroom condos’ master bedrooms

Are You Looking for a Condo at El Constante Condominiums?

Whether you’re looking for a condo at El Constante Condominiums or another type of home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more!)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Condos on North Padre Island, El Constante Condominiums by Julie Woodward
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When you preview homes as a home buyer, you can get a good feel for the home’s visible traits — its finishes, its room counts, and its landscaping, for example. What you can’t get a feel for, though, is the home’s “bones”.

It’s for this reason that real estate professionals recommend that you have a property formally inspected immediately after going into contract for it.

A home inspection is a thorough, top-to-bottom check-up of a property’s structure and systems. It is not the same as a home appraisal, which is a valuation of the property. By contrast, home inspections are an objective report on a home’s physical condition.

Home inspections are performed by home inspectors who will typically do the following :

• Check heating and cooling systems for leaks and efficiency
• Check electrical systems for safety and soundness of design
• Check plumbing systems for venting, distribution, and drainage

In addition, a home inspector will review a home’s roofing system; its doors, windows and garages; plus, any attic spaces and basements, where appropriate.

A home inspection may also uncover out-of-code electrical work that municipalities required to be fixed by law.

Meanwhile, it’s not just home buyers who can order inspections. Sellers can order them, too.

One recommended tactic is for a home seller to have the home inspected prior to listing for sale so that all required repairs can be made in advance of showing the home. This can speed up and simplify the sales process, and may help your home sell at a higher price. Buyers often prefer homes in “move-in” ready condition.

A thorough home inspection can take up to 6 hours to complete, depending on the size of the home.

Filed under: Real Estate Definitions by Julie Woodward
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How long has it been since you last changed your home’s air filters? 

Home air filters trap and remove dust and particles from the air you breathe; leaving “clean air” to circulate your home. 

Clean air in your home is important because it promotes better health.

One way to keep to keep your home’s air as clean as possible is to replace its used air filters at least once per quarter; or once monthly in homes with shedding pets or that otherwise “get dusty”.

Changing air filters is among the easier do-it-yourself chores for a Corpus Christi homeowner; a task that takes less than one minute. The secondary benefit of doing it is that new filters help keep your HVAC unit in tip-top shape. 

Here’s how to change your home’s air filter :

1. Open the air filter compartment door/slider on your HVAC unit.
2. Note the size of your current filter. It’s typically written on the frame.
3. Note the direction in which the filter is pointing. There may be an arrow on its frame.
4. Purchase a new filter at a hardware store. Make sure the sizes matches the size from Step 2.
5. Remove the old filter. 
6. Replace old filter with the newly purchased one from Step 4. Make sure the arrow is pointing in the same direction as the original filter’s arrow.
7. Using a marker, note the date of filter change on the side of the filter.
8. Close the air filter compartment door/slider.

And that’s it.

When you find a filter type and style that you like, consider buying them in bulk — it can be helpful to have extra air filters laying around the home for when you need them — especially during season changes when you may want to replace filters more frequently.

In addition, when purchasing air filters, don’t opt for the cheapest available. Often, the least expensive filters allow large particles to recirculate through the HVAC unit, and back in to your home. Choose a middle- or top-line product instead.

Your home and your health will thank you.

Filed under: Around The Home by Julie Woodward
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