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THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Tecumseh Plywood ........................................ 1 Shoemaker Heating & Plumbing ................... 2 Bailey’s Water Care ........................................ 3 Carpet on Wheels.......................................... 3 Service First Heating & Cooling .................... 4 F&S Landscape Inc. ....................................... 4 Tecumseh Wood Works ................................. 5 Great Ideas .................................................... 5 Big C Lumber ................................................ 7 Shadow Brooke ............................................. 8 Barrett’s Showplace Gardens & Flower Shop .......................................... 10 Xtreme Roofing & Remodeling ................... 10 Sieler’s Water Systems ................................. 11 Shoemaker Heating & Plumbing ................. 11 Michigan Building Specialties ..................... 12 Howe Plumbing ........................................... 13 Nu-Sash Windows ....................................... 13 Billy White Roofing ...................................... 14 Radant’s Electric .......................................... 15 Herald file Photo by Donald McCallum
Shoemaker Heating & Plumbing ................. 16
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
E DI INTO R I A L S I D E Fall Projects Help Prepare Home and Garden for Winter Tecumseh Area Real Estate Data 17 Most Popular Remodeling Projects Fall Checklist for Comfort & Efficiency Outdoor Projects Fall Checklist for Comfort & Efficiency Indoor Projects
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 3
PAGE 4 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 5
PRO ECTS help prepare home and garden for
WINTER By JACKIE KOCH
jackie@tecumsehherald.com F all home and yard maintenance is a must for the homeowners wanting to ensure their home is warm and protected from damage during the cold winter months, and that outdoor plantings and structures are safe from harm. The standard list for fall yard and garden proj ects includes raki ng leave s, trimming back perennials, pulling up spent annuals and planting grass seed, as well as fertilizing areas where grass seed is planted. N ursery M anager E ldon Wheaton, J r., who has worke d at Barrett’s H ome and Garden C enter in Adrian for 37 years, said there are special considerations for plantings in order to ensure they thrive through the winter and come back s trong next spring. “ One thing would be to make sure that all their plantings are watered well seve ral times before the ground freezes, so that it allows plants to go into dormancy under no stress,” he said. “ If you ke ep them watered good up until the ground freezes, that’ll
improve the plants’ survi va bility and it will be less stress on the plant coming into winter.” Wheaton said that new plantings especially need adequate watering the first year or two, to establish them and ke ep them healthy through the cold months. H e also said that once frost wilts the foliage on perennials, causing them to go dormant, it’s helpful to trim off the old foliage down to a stub a few inches above the ground. D oing so cleans up the perennial beds and make s it easier for the plants to come up in the spring. According to Wheaton, it’s best not to trim ornamental grasses or rose bushes in the fall. “ It’s better to wait ‘til spring to do your trimming, j ust let them go dormant and ki nd of leave them for the wintertime. On the roses you can prune the flower heads off j ust to clean it up, but don’t do any maj or cutting back until next spring around the middle of April,” he said, stating that when they are cut down too early in the fall it make s the plants start growing again, and when a cold snaps hits the plants can be damaged.
PAGE 6 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
H ome improve ment expe rt Bob V ila has an ext ensive list of fall outdoor proj ects on his website, bobvi la.com, including checki ng wood siding and trim for peeling paint, then scraping and repainting any areas that need it to ke ep the wood sealed, and cleaning gutters and downspouts once leave s have fallen, flushing them with water, inspecting j oints, and tightening bracke ts. Adding leaf guards is helpful to preve nt clogged gutters, which are one of the maj or causes of ice dams that damage shingles and cause leak s. Other fall proj ects listed include caulki ng around windows and doorframes to preve nt heat from escaping during cold winter days, inspecting the roof for missing and loose shingles and repairing or replacing roof cove rings, and havi ng the heating system checke d and servi ced by a licensed heating contractor, which will help the furnace use fuel more efficiently as well as last longer. The site advi ses homeowners to inspect wood stoves and fireplaces to make sure they are in good worki ng order. C hanging the direction of ceiling fans to create an upward draft will
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
bring warm air down from the ceiling into the livi ng space. M ost ceiling fans have a toggle switch on the side of the motor casing that can be flipped when the fan is turned off. R unning the fan on low speed will ke ep the warmth lower in the room. In addition, cleaning humidifiers on a regular basis during the heating season will preve nt spores and bacteria from growing in the water tank, and va cuuming air conditioners and removi ng window units or wrapping both window and wholehouse units with a tarp or plastic air conditioner cove r will protect them from the cold and ke ep the house warmer. V ila’s website also suggests preparing yard equi pment for storage by cleaning lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other tools, draining fuel from any gasoperated equi pment, and maki ng sure snow equi pment is in good working order before the first snowfall, as well as locating snow clearing gear such as shove ls, roof rake s, and snow blowers in a conve nient spot. P reparing porch and deck furniture includes cleaning and
maki ng needed repairs, and cove ring or storing outdoor furniture and barbecues. To preve nt pots from cracki ng due to freezing temperatures, empty soil from pots and planters. Those with pave d drive ways may want to inspect the drive way for cracks and repair damage with drive way filler, then use a sealer to coat the drive way. R obyn E lk ins of Tecumseh P lywood said people are beginning to winterize their homes now. “ They k now winter’s coming, so they start loading up the insulation,” she said. In addition, residents are finishing up deck s and other odd proj ects they want to complete outdoors, such as patching and sealing driv eways, repairing or replacing roofing and sealing around windows, and buying bags and rak es for managing fallen leav es, as well as installing gutter cov ers. Elkins said that once the first cold weather hits, homeowners hurry to finish fall projects, and she think s the improv ed economy has helped spur more activ ity this year. “ We hav e been busier than we’v e ev er been in years,” she said.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 7
PAGE 8 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Tecumseh Area Real E INCLUDING City of Tecumseh, Raisin Twp. & Tecumseh Twp.
Area Home Info City / Town
Median year built
Median Move-In year
TECUMSEH
1964
2000
CLINTON
1969
1999
ADRIAN
1960
2001
BRITTON
1964
1998
ONSTED
1975
1998
TIPTON
1974
1998
Number of listings
350
351
325 300
SOLD
275 250 225
232
227
200 175 150 125
142
100
88 15
83 60
17
31 25
51
75 50 25
2007 / 2016 / 2017
2007 / 2016 / 2017
2007 / 2016 / 2017
2007 / 2016 / 2017
Raisin Township
Tecumseh Township
Tecumseh
Total
0
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 9
Estate Data
Dollar Volume
Average Price
Median Price
Average DOM *
SOLD 2007 Raisin Township
$1,489,320
$99,288
$97,700
219
Tecumseh Township
$1,674,600
$98,506
$95,800
197
Tecumseh
$6,163,450
$120,852
$109,900
178
Total
$9,327,370
$112,378
$103,000
189
Raisin Township
$14,007,915
$159,181
$152,000
64
Tecumseh Township
$5,844,500
$188,532
$189,900
68
Tecumseh
$33,331,181
$143,669
$130,000
79
Total
$53,183,596
$151,520
$145,600
74
Raisin Township
$9,649,940
$160,832
$160,000
43
Tecumseh Township
$5,160,100
$206,404
$207,000
67
Tecumseh
$22,425,498
$157,926
$143,950
77
Total
$37,235,538
$164,033
$156,000
67
SOLD 2016
SOLD 2017
**
DID YOU KNOW?!
*Days on Market
**January 1–August 2017
Tecumseh Housing Market Information At the end of World War II, American soldiers returned home triumphant and, with the help of the GI Bill, built homes by the millions on the edges of America’s cities. These homes were
predominantly capes and ranches, modest in size, but built to house a growing middle-class as the 20th century became the American century. Tecumseh’s housing was primarily
built during this period, from the ‘40s through the ‘60s. A full 39.01% of the city’s housing hails from this era. Other housing ages represented in Tecumseh include homes built
between 1970-1999 (38.11%) and housing constructed before 1939 (12.91%). There’s also some housing in Tecumseh built between 2000 and later (9.97%).
PAGE 10 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
17 Most
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
POPULAR Remodeling Projects
Original Story from Daily Real Estate News
Kitchen upgrades have overtaken bathroom updates as the remodeling project homeowners want most, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Market Index report covering the first quarter of 2017. Bathroom renovations previously held the number one spot, but kitchen redos barely pulled ahead in the most recent report. Fifty-three percent of remodelers say “wholehouse remodeling” has become a much more common project, the survey notes. It’s also the first time since 2006 that more than half of the respondents to NAHB’s survey have cited anything besides kitchens and bathrooms as a common type of remodeling project, the index notes.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 11
NAHB’s survey showed
these are the most common jobs for remodelers
1)
Kitchen remodeling: 81%
2)
Bathroom remodeling: 80%
3)
Whole-house remodeling: 53%
4)
Room additions: 45% Windows/door replacement: 36%
5) 6)
Finished basement: 27%
7)
Repairing property damage: 27%
8)
Decks: 25%
9)
Bathroom additions: 24%
10)
Roofing: 23%
11)
Enclosed/added porch: 23% Handyman services: 22%
12)
Siding: 19%
13)
Second story additions: 16%
14)
Enclosed/added garage: 12%
15)
Historic preservation: 9%
16) 17)
0%
Finished attic: 7% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
PAGE 12 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
FALL CHECKLIST for Comfort & Efficiency
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 13
By BRIAN CALLAGHAN
Before Jack Frost makes an appearance this year, take time to prepare your home and property for cooler temperatures, volatile weather, and other potential seasonal calamities. Complete the following projects before temperatures drop so your home remains safe, energy efficient, and cozy during the winter months.
OUTDOOR PROJECTS Clean the gutters
Twigs, leaves, shingle grains, sand and other debris collect in gutters during the spring and summer months, weighing them down and blocking water flow. If you’re able, take time during mild Fall days to safely remove the debris buildup with a trowel or small shovel, then hose gutters to clean out any remaining grime. If your home has an exceptionally high roof or you are not comfortable with heights, hire a licensed and insured contractor to do this work for you.
1
Drain outdoor faucets & winterize sprinklers
Before the first freeze, prepare exterior water faucets and irrigation systems. A sudden frost can cause leaks and expensive system damage. Shut off your home’s main water supply and open exterior water valves. Allow water to drain out of the main water line and shut valves off when this is complete. If you have an irrigation system, schedule a sprinkler blowout to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Unless you know what you’re doing, it’s best to hire a landscaper to complete this task. Sprinkler blowout requires an air compressor, and can be dangerous for doit-yourselfers.
2
Sweep your chimney
3
Before your chimney contractor arrives, remove leftover wood and ash remnants from your hearth. Your chimney sweep will take care of the rest: cleaning out ash and soot and removing creosote chemical deposits that can cause chimney fires. Your sweep should also inspect the efficiency of your fireplace damper and make any necessary adjustments, to prevent chilly drafts coming into your house during the winter.
Continued on Page 14
PAGE 14 | FALL HOME PROJECTS
THE TECUMSEH HERALD | SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
INDOOR PROJECTS
Check your heating and cooling system
HVAC maintenance is critical and should never be overlooked. Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners will provide longlasting functionality. Knowledgeable HVAC contractors will clean and lube components, change filters, ensure temperature stability, measure air flow and advise you of important maintenance items before you encounter costly repairs. If you have them, make a point to remove window air conditioning units before temperatures become frigid. Clean and store these units properly for next year. Leaving units in the window exposes them to unnecessary wear and tear, and generally leads to cool air drafts.
1
Drain your water heater
Minerals and debris build up over time in your hot water tank. Depending on its age, it’s best to flush your water heater every one to three years — depending upon your tank’s age. Water heaters tend to be in the basement or utility room for most homes — someplace out of the way. Make sure there are no flammable materials left standing near your water heater.
2
Test electrical receptacles & GFCI outlets
3
Use a receptacle tester from the local hardware store or plug in a lamp or radio. If an outlet isn’t working, it might be just a loose wire — or a sign of a bigger problem. For GFCIs, plug in a tester or lamp and press the “Test” button on the outlet. The tester or lamp should click off. If the outlet is working properly, the lamp will switch back on when you press “Reset.” If GFCI’s or receptacles are not working properly or if cords feel hot to the touch, call an electrical contractor! A hot plug or outlet can be a sign of a circuit overload — which is a prime cause of many electrical fires.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 | THE TECUMSEH HERALD
INDOOR PROJECTS
Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms
Fall is also a great time to check all carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in your house to ensure they are working properly. The alarms on these units should go off when you press the “Test” button. Depending on the manufacturer, these devices should be replaced every five to 10 years to ensure optimal performance. And don’t forget to check the batteries — if your alarms are battery-powered.
4
Inspect for drafts
Check baseboards, outlets, windows and doors for air leaks. Chilly drafts left unattended can lead to expensive utility bills. Use a smoke pen, candle, room deodorizer or a damp hand to detect leaks. Most leaks can be sealed simply with weather stripping or caulking.
5
FALL HOME PROJECTS | PAGE 15
Prepare your generator for potential winter storms
6
Inspect your generator for possible corrosion. When filling the gas tank, remember to change the oil and change the air filter (if necessary). An electrical contractor can check your generator to ensure you are prepared for possible storms. Regular maintenance is always the key to safe and reliable generator performance. Performing these Fall maintenance steps will keep you, your family and your home safe and comfortable through another Winter.