Winterizing your Car

I received some very helpful tips for winter and thought I would pass them along to you once again! S


Preparing your vehicle for the winter season is one of the most important keys to safe winter driving. Have a mechanic check the following items on your car before the temperatures drop.
• Battery
• Ignition System
• Lights
• Exhaust system
• Brakes
• Oil Level
• Antifreeze
• Thermostat
• Flashing hazard lights
• Heater
• Defroster
• Tires/tread
• Wipers and windshield washer fluid
Also, be sure to keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal, and maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times during the winter season

Garden Tip

Wait to fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees until after they have finished blooming. Early fertilization will promote green growth that hides blooms.










Information Courtesy of the NC Cooperative Extension





Visit www.BrittainMehler.com to search for properties surrounding Greensboro, NC!

Downtown Greenway

The official ribbon cutting of the first completed section is March 24, 2010. Check it out!! http://downtowngreenway.org/home/

7 Reasons to Buy Your Own Home

1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.

2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, median existing-home sale prices have increased on average 6.5 percent each year from 1972 through 2005, and increased 88.5 percent over the last 10 years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.

3. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

4. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

5. Predictability. Unlike rent, your fixed-mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will increase.

6. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

7. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Online resources: To calculate whether buying is the best financial option for you, use the “Buy vs. Rent” calculator at www.GinnieMae.gov.

5 Common Mistakes Made By First Time Home Buyers

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.

2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.

3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process.

4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.

5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years