Penn Yan, NY

Clothes dryers can be found in 80 percent, or 81.5 million homes throughout the United States. A full load of wet clothes placed in a dryer contains about one half gallon of water. As water is removed, lint is created from the clothes. In a properly installed vent, any lint that escapes the dryer's lint filter should be blown outdoors. Any accumulation which occurs in a dryer's ducting is usually a sign of poor air flow, especially at the location(s) it occurs. In such cases the vent line should be evaluated to locate and correct any deficiencies it may have.

The vent should be as short and as straight and with as few elbows as possible. The more bends and turns, the greater the reduction in air flow there is and more areas where lint can accumulate. More bends will also hamper dryer vent cleaning, which leading Appliance Manufacturers recommend should be performed annually.

It is sometimes possible to tell if a dryer's vent is the cause of poor drying by totally removing the vent line from the dryer and doing a couple of loads. If drying improves, you can be sure the vent is (at least part of) the problem. When attaching multiple sections of pipe together do not use sheet metal screws, use metal foil tape instead. Any protuberances into the vent will cause obstructions where lint can accumulate, eventually leading to a restriction, and allow lint to build up. Those protuberances will also make the inevitable dryer vent cleaning much more difficult.

Clothes dryers are one of the most expensive appliances in your home to operate. The longer it runs the more money it costs you. Dryer vents clogged with lint cause the dryer to run longer resulting in excess energy costs of $18 to $24 per month. According to the U. S. Fire Administration, dryer fires account for an average of 15,000 fires with an approximate $88 million in property damage, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually. "Failure to clean" was cited as the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings. On a positive note, the number of clothes dryer fires has dropped by 35% from the 24,000 fires that occurred annually, on average, in the late 1970's.

Consumer Reports says that flexible dryer ducts made of foil and plastic are the most problematic because they can sag and let lint build up at low points. Metal ducts, either flexible or solid, are far safer because they don't sag, so lint is less likely to build up. In addition, if a fire does start, a metal duct is more likely to contain it.

No matter which kind of duct you have, you should clean it regularly. In addition, clean the lint screen each time you use your dryer. This not only will reduce the risk of fire, but your dryer will dry your clothes faster and use less energy.

Dryer's Do's and Don'ts

•· Clean the lint filter before and after each load

•· Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry cleaning solvents, etc.) Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode.

•· Don't forget to read manufacturers' warning about the use and care of your appliance in manuals that accompany new dryers.

•· Replace plastic, vinyl and aluminum foil venting with rigid or flexible metal venting to comply with NYS Building code.

Don't let your clothes dryer start a fire; Keep your home safe and sound. Dryer Vents is ALL we do; We ARE the experts! Call us for an inspection, repair, cleaning and installation service today! http://www.dryerventwizard.com

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With the depressed real estate market, new opportunities have opened up for the professional "scammers". I read it in the newspaper, I hear the chatter on the radio and see the busy ads on TV. "Foreclosures are higher than ever, get in on your chance to buy these homes at ridiculously low prices - Call now for your free directory"

Even here in the Finger Lakes area, I receive calls and emails from potential clients that only want me to look for REO's ( real estate owned by the lender through foreclosure) for them. I do not have a problem with that, because why not. If an investor is willing to roll up their sleeves and put some physical equity into a home, in a good market, they can make a decent return on their investment. The problem is when buyers that would normally look around for a home their fits their needs decides they only want to look for foreclosures. Yes, there has been an increase in foreclosures in our area, but not to the extent that the MLS (multiple listing service) is full of them. The other issue is that the foreclosures that are on the market are not suitable or desirable to the average home buyer. These homes are usually in the lower end of the market and in bad areas, definitely not your typical three bedroom 2 bath home.

There are also different ways to buy a foreclosed home.

• You can buy them at auction on the courthouse stairs - but I warn you against that unless you have a good title search attorney or you are knowledgeable yourself to research the property. When you buy a house on the courthouse steps you get the title and also any liens that may be attached to it.
• You can work with a Realtor to find REO's - these homes have been taken back by the lender and the titles have been cleared. The lender will try to get the market value on the home, but depending how long it is listed, you will increase your negotiating power.

There are other areas of the country where foreclosures do dominate the market, but fortunately not in the Finger Lakes area. There are still many people with good paying jobs looking for decent homes and able to obtain conventional mortgages.

So if you really want to look for foreclosures, be prepared for what most of them are and work with a Realtor that is familiar with REO's. Patience in finding a place and being financially prepared to place an offer are also key components.

Information for the Finger Lakes brought to you by Mary St.George

St George Realty of the Finger Lakes is now open for your business, serving the Finger Lakes area. Our target markets include lakefront homes on Keuka, Seneca and Canandaigua Lakes, as well as unique and distinctive homes. Our buyers come from all over the country and the world, and of course our sellers come from the Finger Lakes area. If you have a property or would like to purchase a property that fits this criteria, then we welcome you as a client.

Mary St. George the licensed broker of the company is certified as a Resort & Second Home Property Specialist. This is especially important for sellers or buyers that need to work with a 1031 property exchange. Knowing how to move your equity from one property to another will save owners substantial capital gains taxes and at the same time increase equity in real estate holdings.

So what is so special about this area? Where do we begin?

• The hundreds of wineries that sit perched around the lakes - In these wineries you will find many award winners but the best part is you will undoubtedly find a wine that suits your personal taste. Many of these wineries also have unique restaurants and cafes allowing you to taste and savor some very delectable and sumptuous foods
• The landscape dotted with woods, hills, vineyards and farms
• The beautiful picturesque lakes that run north and south like a set of "fingers"
• The fishing, just ask those that frequent the area - I have had some of the best tasting perch caught by ice fisherman
• Skiing in the winter and hiking in all seasons - there are both private and state trails
• The quaintness of the villages dispersed throughout the valleys each with its own personality
• The great restaurants in and around the lakes especially during the summer months
• The festivals and farmers markets in each of the towns , and everyone in the area knows about the infamous Windmill where you can find locally made craftsand fresh produce opening this year April 26th.
• One of my favorites is the Wild Water Derby that takes place the last weekend in April - this year it will be the 26th and 27th - be sure to visit the website
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Your update to the Finger Lakes by Mary St. George