Tag Archives: Lending

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Winter Home Maintenance Tips for a Cozy, Worry-Free, and Energy-Efficient Season

As temperatures drop and the first official day of winter approaches, it’s essential to prepare and maintain your home to ensure a safe and energy-efficient season. At Peoples Bank & Trust, we understand the importance of protecting your home and saving on energy costs. Here are some winter home maintenance tips to help you do just that.

Prepare Your Home’s Exterior

Before the harsh winter weather sets in, make sure to:

  1. Clean and inspect your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, causing water damage to your home.
  2. Trim tree branches and shrubs to prevent damage from snow and ice.
  3. Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior, including windows and doors.
  4. Install storm windows or replace old windows with energy-efficient ones.
  5. Test your sump pump to ensure it works correctly. A functioning sump pump can prevent basement flooding during winter thaws.

Insulate and Seal Your Home’s Interior

To keep the warm air in and the cold air out, make sure to:

  1. Insulate your attic, walls, and floors to prevent heat loss.
  2. Seal any gaps or cracks around windows, doors, and electrical outlets.
  3. Install weatherstripping around doors and windows to prevent air leaks.
  4. Use area rugs and curtains to add an extra layer of insulation.
  5. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas such as basements and garages to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
  6. Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature when you’re not home.

Maintain Your Heating System

To ensure your heating system is running efficiently and safely, make sure to:

  1. Have your heating system serviced by a professional before the winter season, especially if you are a new homeowner.
  2. Change your furnace filter regularly to improve air quality and efficiency.
  3. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump.

Conserve Energy and Lower Your Bills

To keep your energy bills low, make sure to:

  1. Adjust your thermostat to use less energy when you’re not home or sleeping.
  2. Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
  3. Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use to avoid standby power consumption.
  4. Consider installing solar panels or a programmable thermostat.
  5. Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to let in natural sunlight.

Consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

If you’re looking to make energy-efficient upgrades to your home, consider using a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) from Peoples Bank & Trust. A HELOC allows you to tap into the equity in your home and use the funds to make improvements that can increase your property value and save you money on energy costs. Check out more details here! By following these winter home maintenance tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a cozy and worry-free winter while also protecting your home and saving on energy costs. And, if you’re looking to make energy-efficient upgrades, consider using a HELOC from Peoples Bank & Trust.

Three Things to Look for in a Starter Home

If you’re in the market for your first home, congratulations! Becoming a homeowner is an exciting step on your financial journey. At Peoples Bank & Trust, our dedicated mortgage lenders are here to help you find the best financing option for your new home. Remember to stop in and secure a pre-approval letter before you start your home search.

 

After speaking with a mortgage lender to help determine your family’s ideal price point, it’s time to start viewing potential homes. During this process you’re bound to find a home you’ll fall in love with, and others that may send you running for the hills. As you ride this rollercoaster of an experience, we recommend searching for the following three things in your family’s ideal new house:

 

  1. Good Bones. Starter homes are a great option to find a great house within an affordable budget. To ensure your investment lasts for the long-term, we recommend taking a hard look at any foundational cracks, leans, or other structural ailments. While the rest of the house could look fantastic, these three issues should be instant red flags signaling you to continue looking at other homes.
  2. Cohesive Neighborhood. The people you surround yourself could be the individuals you see at 6:00 AM taking the trash out, or the partiers you have to ask to turn down the music at 11:00 PM. As you tour properties, don’t be afraid to chat with any potential neighbors and see if there is any information they can give on families you’ll be living alongside.
  3. Suitable Layout. While some renovations are certainly possible when purchasing a starter home, obstacles such as load-bearing walls could limit your expectations. Consider the overall layout of the home at the showing, and see if you could picture yourself the way it is. If the answer is no, then you may want to find a few backup options should the renovations not be available within your budget.

 

 

The perfect home will look different to everyone. If you’re ready to start searching for your family’s new house, our experienced mortgage lenders are here to help. We work with many successful local realtors, and we would be happy to refer you to the one that fits your needs best. Give us a call or stop by to begin the search for your home today.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

NMLS# 407724