Brandi Wells

Although we traditionally think of spring as the season for home maintenance, there are steps you should take in the fall to make sure that your home is ready for the winter months. By performing these common maintenance tips each autumn, you can help protect your home's value and prevent major repairs.

Roof and Gutters

Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

Water Heater

You don't want to find out that your water heater isn't operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tank's pressure and temperature relief valve checked. In addition, remove sediment from the bottom of the tank by draining two gallons of water to improve heat transfer and the efficiency of your heater.

Heating and Cooling System

If you have a forced warm-air heating system, you should check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean any lint and dirt from the blower blades, motor and burner (if you have a gas heater). Vacuum air passages and check and replace, if necessary, fan belts. To prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your home, wash out your reusable filter or replace it if it disposable.

Doors and Windows

To help control heating costs, you want to make sure that your doors and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to repair or replace weather stripping around door bottoms and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or missing glazing putty and caulking for deterioration. If you have storm windows, install them.

Water Pipes

Frozen or burst pipes can cause major damage to your home and be expensive to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding insulation, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.

Fireplace

Before you light the logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire, make sure that your fireplace is in good working order. Clean the chimney flue and if needed inspected and repaired. Check the seal on your flue, which is designed to keep out drafts. Replace the seal if it is loose or damaged.

If you decide to do the fall maintenance yourself disconnect the power for any electrical or gas systems. In addition, before inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs refer to your owner's manual for all equipment for proper instructions, which should be the final authority on any maintenance.

Although this list is merely a guide, it can help you keep your home in good shape and have a winter free of major repairs.

Safety Saturday Key Points

Event title: Safety Saturday Date: September 26, 2009 Hours: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Objective: Accidents in and around the home are a leading cause of injury and death in America. Fires and burns are the #1 cause of home injury-related death for children ages 14 and under. As part of a common goal to create safer homes, the Home Safety Council (HSC) and Lowe's are teaming up to host a one-day event called, "Safety Saturday." Safety Saturday is the national kick-off to Fire Safety Month in October. Lowe's stores will join with local fire service and community safety organizations to create a parking lot event for the entire family. Stop by your local Lowe's and learn more about keeping your family safe from fire danger.

In addition to the Lowe's store events, the Home Safety Council and Lowe's have partnered to expand the one-day event to the Web. The Safety Saturday Web site, homesafetycouncil.org/SafetySaturday, offers information for the entire family on how to make their home safe for all. The site will feature home safety projects that can be completed in a single Saturday.

Locations: All participating Lowe's stores

Lowe's store highlight: Build & Grow Clinics will feature a fire truck and will offer Home Safety Council's fire safety material and take-home activities for the entire family.

Community involvement: Fire departments and other public safety organizations will be on-hand to provide home safety information to children and families.

Contacts: Home Safety Council, Faye Cothren, (888) 556-9947

Lowe's, Robin Frye, (704) 758-2601

About the Home Safety Council

The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization headquartered in Washington, DC.

About Lowe's

Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, United Way of America, and the Home Safety Council, in addition to numerous non-profit organizations and programs that help communities across the country. In 2008, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $25 million to support community and education projects in the United States and Canada. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's is a FORTUNE® 50 company with fiscal year 2008 sales of $48.2 billion and has more than 1,675 stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit Lowes.com/community.

You've just toured the home of your dreams and are ready to make an offer. You can already envision upgrades you would like make: a pool in the back yard, window shutters and a black picket fence to match. You're even excited that your boat will fit in the driveway. Yet, what you may not be aware of is that there are restrictions that dictate what can and cannot be done to or on the property.

Homebuyers, especially first-timers, may not think of asking about restrictive covenants, yet when you purchase property governed by restrictive covenants, you are consenting to abide by those provisions.

A restrictive covenant, which is a type of deed restriction, regulates a group of new and existing homes or building lots. Developers use them to preserve a development or subdivision as a model community and control its use and appearance. Buyers agree to the sometimes-rigid restrictions in order to maintain the aesthetic standard set by the developer and to safeguard the value of their homes.

Restrictive covenants should not be confused with local zoning and government regulations. Some covenants and zoning regulations overlap; for instance, either can limit the height of a building. But, restrictive covenants tend to exert greater control over a homeowner's lifestyle. In addition to standard clauses, which may stipulate a home's minimum size, height, architectural style, and color schemes, covenants often ban practices that could be regarded as aesthetically objectionable--such as parking RVs, boats and non-running vehicles on the property.

Covenants may additionally regulate grass height; window treatments; holiday decorations; walls, fences and hedges; as well as pets--some limit number and type of pets allowed. Very often, owners are required to make repairs within a specified number of days of the initial notification. Depending on a community's location and other unique features, restrictions may be applied to the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers and removal of dirt and trees. Owners can be prohibited from installing solar panels, building an enclosed patio or adding a swimming pool. Restrictive covenants can also prevent owners from renting the home or operating a home business, including music lessons and daycare. Condo and townhouse owners sometimes face even more rigid restrictions.

What happens when a violation occurs? It's up to the homeowner's association or individual property owners to enforce a covenant. Local authorities cannot enforce contractual agreements. Instead, it's likely that a committee would review the complaint, then notify the homeowner. If the homeowner ignores the initial notice, he or she might receive a notice from an attorney. Legal action would be a last resort.

Before You Buy

While most homeowners enjoy the quality of life resulting from restrictive covenants, some covenants may prevent you from living the life you planned. Before committing yourself to a property, be certain you can live with all the restrictions.

• Ask to see a copy of the restrictive covenants prior to taking a trip out to a property. You may be able to eliminate the house from your "To See" list.

• If the sales professional didn't have the document available initially, be certain to review a copy of the restrictive covenants prior to making an offer.

• Or, make your offer contingent on your review and approval of the restrictive covenants.

Brandi Wells can be reached at (404-402-1489). Prudential Colony Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

A short sale can be an excellent solution for homeowners who must sell and owe more on their homes than they are worth. Unfortunately, a number of myths about short sales have developed, and it is important to understand the reality of this process.

Myth #1 - The bank would rahter foreclose than bother with a short sale

This is one of the most common misconceptions. The reality is that banks do not want to foreclose on property because the foreclosure process is incredibly costly. Banks, investors, and even the federal government have all publicly stated that if a person is qualified for a short sale, the deal needs to be considered.

Myth #2 - An owner must be behind on a mortgage to negotiate a short sale

While this may have previously been the case, today lenders are looking for verifiable hardship, monthly cash flow shortfall and insolvency.

Myth #3 - There is not enough time to negotiate a short sale before my foreclosure

This myth probably hurts homeowners the most. Many do not realize that foreclosure is a process, and there is time to make decisions that may result in better outcomes.

Myth #4 - Listing my home as a short sale is an embarrassment

According to recent estimates, one out of five homeowners in the U.S. is in this same situation. You are to be congratulated for admitting you need help, taking action, and finding a professional who can work with you toward a solution.

Myth #5 - Short sales are impossible and never get approved

This is a complete falsehood. Are short sales more difficult to execute? Yes. Does a homeowner need to learn about a new process? Yes. Are they impossible? Absolutely not.

Myth #6 - Banks are not accepting short sales

The reality is that banks (and the U.S. government) are trying to do anything they can, within reason, to avoid foreclosing. It is preposterous to believe that they would deny a short sale in hopes that some future legislation would pass and pay them for losses.

Myth #7 - Buyers are not interested in short sale properties

Potential sellers hear this but, thankfully, it is not true. In fact, many agents are getting calls from buyers who say they only want to look at foreclosures and short sales.

Tax credits are important to all homeowners and should be outlined to new home buyers with specificity.

There are extensive tools and resources at EnergyStar.gov. The site includes ways for homeowners to save with energy efficient products, how to videos, news and tools for children.

Lowes.com / Build your savings has a home audit tool, cost calculators and video assistance. Convenient information on tax credits, energy savings and home maintenance are available.

The EPA WaterSense tools are also helpful for homeowners.