Tips on driving on black ice

Hi Everyone and welcome back to my blog. I really have neglected it and decided it is really time to get back into. You will beable to find all kinds of information about Real Estate, home improvements and sometimes I like to change up the subject. My first day back I am going to change it up. With the ice store moving in I thought this maybe a good article about driving that maybe helpful to some people. Please take caution out there and be safe!!!!

 

Winter driving conditions can be tricky for even the most experienced drivers. While a snow-covered road can be an obvious driving hazard, a road that just looks wet can also be deceivingly slippery.

Black ice is a dangerous wintertime hazard because the icy road may not always be visible to the driver. Indeed, melted snow or ice that refreezes may still look deceivingly like a dry road. And temperatures don’t have to be below freezing for black ice to develop. Black ice can occur if temperatures are near the freezing mark–or even a few degrees above it.

While a shiny road surface indicates an obviously wet or icy road, a road covered with black ice will look a little different. Keep an eye out for pavement that is slightly darker and a little duller looking than the rest of the road surface– this may indicate that black ice is present. Because black ice is so tricky to detect, a driver may not realize there is an icy road surface until his carbegins to slide. Here are some winter driving safety tips on how to drive on black ice:

 

1. As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal. In fact, the last thing you want to do is give your car more gas. It is very important to slow down when you are driving on black ice or in any other winter road conditions.
2. Don’t slam the brakes. While it may be a natural instinct to slam on your brakes, this will only cause your car to lose control and slide even more. Tap the brake pedal lightly instead of pushing down hard on it.
3. Look for trouble spots ahead. If you have an idea that there may be black ice ahead (if you see carsahead of you sliding, for example), downshift to a lower gear before you come onto the black ice. The lower gear will force you to drive more slowly and it will give you better control of your car.
4. If your car does begin to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This should help to steer your car back on the right track.
5. Leave plenty of space between your car and the other cars on the road. When driving on black ice road conditions, stay well behind the car in front of you (at least a couple of hundred feet)–this is definitely not the time to tailgate. Even if you feel confident that you know how to drive safely on black ice, that doesn’t mean the driver in front of you does. Be prepared in case other cars start to slide.
6. Don’t think you’re invincible just because you drive a truck or a big sports utility vehicle. While 4-wheel drive vehicles are great for driving in heavy snow, you’re on your own when it comes to driving on black ice. In fact, 4-wheel drive vehicles have no advantage over regular cars when it comes to driving on black ice, so be sure to take the necessary safety precautions no matter what type of vehicle you are driving.

 

 

 

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5 Golden Steps to lowering your property taxes

I found this article and originally this blog was posted for real estate investors, landlords, etc., although it is helpful to the home owner that is looking for a break on their property taxes. I really hope this helps you out and if you are looking to make a move soon, please keep Lynn Nichols in mind. Have a great day.

More and more real estate property owners are appealing their property taxes. Most of them find that the appealing an assessed value of the property is simple and easy. In most cases the assessor comes back with an adjustment notice via mail or the differences are settled through an informal hearing. Very few of the disputes end up in court cases. Follow these 5 steps to appeal your property tax.

1. Compare the assessed value of your real estate property with the purchase price or the latest home appraisal based on any refinancing that you may have done.

Tax Credit ending soon

Hi Everyone: Just wanted to remind everyone that on April 30th., the tax credit for first time home buyers and people stepping up will be gone. This is only 10 days away. Give me a call now and we still have enough time to get you under contract by the 30th, but you must act now.

Spring Cleaning Tips for Floors

Oh how much I love springtime, flowers blooming, fresh air, trees having and green leaves on them, and spring cleaning, oh no I don’t love spring cleaning that if for sure. Although I have found some great tips that should help you with your spring cleaning that I found on Debra4homes.com. I hope they are helpful and if you have any tips please leave them. Keep in mind when you or someone you know is ready for that move please contact Lynn Nichols for an Extraordinaire Real Estate experience.

Wood Floors

• Floor cleaner is a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water. Damp mop with a mop squeezed nearly dry. It is safer to mist the mop with the cleaner than to apply to floor. Do a section at a time and throw an old towel on the floor and scoot back and forth with foot to dry and prevent streaks. Standing liquid from mopping, spills, and pet accidents can damage floors.
• The greatest damage done to wood floors is from grit. Mats at doors are necessary to collect grit and it’s important to keep these clean. Frequent dust mopping in high traffic areas to collect grit is the best prevention. This should be done based on the amount of traffic, which may require dust mopping several times a day in an active household. The brush attachment of a vacuum can be used (no beater bars). Felt and furniture protectors should be installed on furniture. Never scoot furniture on wood.
• Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.
• Use a paper bag over spilled candle wax then lightly iron

Getting your house ready to sell

I thought with the spring being the time that so many people put their house up for sale I would give some tips that could help to get top dollar for your home. So as many people say we are going to stage y our home for sale.

It is very hard to look at your home objectively when you love something so much and have worked so hard at it and put so much of you and your family into it. The truth is when you have buyers go through your home you want them to be able to see their selfs living in this home and a lot of times when you have so much personality in it, it is very hard for them to imagine living there.

A very good idea is to go to a model home and look how they have homes staged. Staging does not have to cost a lot of money, and if you can’t afford a professional stager,  your Realtor should go though and give you suggestions and tips. A lot of times it is a matter of declutting and cleaning. Well here are some strong tips to get you started.

Going Green-Water Saving Tips In the Garden

Water Saving Tips In the Garden

Gardening can be a fulfilling activity to help you relax outdoors. But, if you aren’t careful, an environmentally-friendly activity can quickly turn into a sink for precious natural water resources.

Millions of gallons of water are used in gardens and lawns each year —many of them wastefully. Here are some ways to cut back on the amount of water you use in the garden:

• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass retains water better.
• Water in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.
• Check your sprinkler system regularly and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Collect and use rainwater for watering your garden.
• Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.
• Install a drip irrigation system around your trees and shrubs to water more efficiently.

I hope you enjoyed todays tips and you enjoy yourself  in your garden. When you are thinking of buying a home or selling a house keep Lynn Nichols in mind and remember you can search all Maryland properties at www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.com

Happy Easter

During this special holiday of Easter I love to count my blessing and be thankful. It is a time to spend with family and friends and enjoy being with each other,  especially with spring here and everything blooming and so beautiful. I wish you all a very safe and Happy Easter, and enjoy the great weather we are having..

Top Ten April Fools Hoaxes of all Times

I thought for April Fools I would give you a fun article to read, but along with April Fools it is not a joke that in less than a month the $8,000 tax credit will be gone for good. Please contact me right away if you want a chance to take advantage of the tax credit.

RISMEDIA, April 1, 2010—From the Museum of Hoaxes, here are the top 10 out of 100 April Fool’s Day hoaxes of all time, according to their website, as judged by notoriety, creativity, and number of people duped.

Gary Keller on Good Morning America

Good Day all! Gary Keller of Keller Williams had just appeared on Good Morning America, giving home sellers tips on selling their homes. Please take a look at the video below, you should find it very useful and when you are looking to sell your home please contact Lynn Nichols at 443 694-0028 or check me out on my webpage www.MarylandHomesbyLynn.comhttp://abcnews.go.com/GMA/YourMoney/selling-house-real-estate-market/story?id=9948405