Gayle Renaud joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Savannah Office as a REALTOR

Gayle Renaud joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Savannah Office as a REALTOR with 15 years of experience.  She has relocated from Connecticut and will be concentrating on residential sales and property management in the Savannah areas. 

“I enjoy working, learning and submerging myself within a diversity of environments.  Before 2000, I had worked as an independent contractor in special projects for industries like: Hess Oil Company, the Government of the US Virgin Islands, Attorneys at Law, Major Supermarket Chains, even for a Nuclear Engineer, Pharmaceutical Engineer, Dental Researcher, and more!”  Gayle has a colorful background in the performing arts for most of her adult life.  She dedicated one year to the Kennedy Baptist Home for troubled teenagers in North Carolina, and managed a woman’s dance troupe for 20 years that performed in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, town fairs, cultural event, and the like. 

Gayle M Renaud
Realtor
Office Phone: (912) 352-1222
Cell Phone: 912-401-2727
Fax: (912) 356-3622

It’s no doubt Gayle immerses herself into each area wholly and completely; shortly after entering the real estate, world in 2000, she became a member of Prudential’s Million Dollar Club.  She believes that every new client is a new special project to be handled with professionalism and sincere commitment, “I want my clients to know and experience a trust-worthy relationship with uninterrupted and open communication.”

Gayle chose Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because of the Company’s reputation, the great people, including Lynn McCuen and sales manager, Tom Woiwode.  “Tom presented the Company with complete integrity.  He has obvious skills as an educator and a man of integrity which is what I want to surround myself with.”   

Gayle Renaud may be reached at 912-401-2727

or at Gayle.Renaud@ColdwellBanker.com

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Crib Safety Tips You Can’t Afford Not to Read - Lindsey Listanski

Make sure your child will have sweet dreams in their new home sweet home with these crib safety tips.

As a soon to be mom I can tell you that “nesting” is a VERY real thing. Preparing my home for our newest addition to the family has been incredibly exciting but also a little stressful. Unlike a wedding registry where you don’t have to been concerned with the safety of your china set or linens, picking items for a baby registry requires research to ensure you are creating a safe environment for your child. One of the items that my husband and I have spent a lot of time learning about is the crib. Here are some great crib safety tips we have picked up along that way that I hope are helpful to you as you create your own nest for your little one.

Placement is Important

Picking out the right spot for your baby’s crib may seem like a no-brainer but there is actually a lot of factors to consider to ensure it is in the safest place.
Avoid Vents: You want to be sure that cold or hot air won’t be blowing directly onto your baby.
Stay Away from Windows:  From cool drafts and the possibility of a window breaking to the terrifying thought of your child getting tangled in blinds and curtains, there are seemingly endless safety reasons why this isn’t the best spot for your baby’s crib.
Arms Length Away from (Fill in the Blank): Experts and veteran parents agree, placing a crib within arms length of door handles, electronics (this includes cords to baby monitors) and near items that your baby can pull into the crib pose a variety of threats. This tip matters more for little ones who are starting to test their “pull up and standing” skills but you might as well plan ahead.

Out with the Old and in with the New

Hand me downs are a wonderful thing for new parents…except when it comes to cribs. If you have a friend or family member who is offering up an older crib it is important to ensure it doesn’t have a “drop-side” rail or paint with lead in it which are huge no nos for crib safety. In June 2011, after 30 years of crib safety standards going unchanged, federal safety standards put out a statement prohibiting manufacture or sale of drop-side rail cribs which were deemed unsafe for babies. If you have your heart set on using a crib being passed down to you then be sure to check to see if it has been recalled. Click Here.

image via dailymail.co

In addition, new regulations stated that all new cribs have stronger slats and mattress supports, better quality hardware and that they had to undergo rigorous testing. (source: healthychildren.org)
The CPSC also recommends checking for the following:
No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby’s body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.
No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby’s clothing cannot catch.
No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby’s head cannot get trapped.

Less is Better

While it may be tempting to adorn your baby’s crib with plush stuffed animals, soft blankets and pillows all of these items could lead to suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). For infants under the age of one year it is important to keep the crib area free of the aforementioned items and to only use fitted bottom sheets that are made specifically for cribs.
Thanks to an awesome manager at Babies R Us in East Hanover, NJ I also learned that bumper pads, despite being in seemingly every crib advertisement, poise a serious risk to babies. “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises against using bumper pads — they increase the risk of SIDS and other crib-deaths. If you do decide to go against the AAP’s recommendations, skip the padded kind and use thin, breathable ones that fit firmly around the whole crib. Then take down the bumpers as soon as your baby can stand, so your little one won’t use them to climb out.” (What To Expect)

Image via Babies R Us

If you are worried about your baby getting a chill in the middle of the night consider buying a few comfy sleepsacks. (wish these came in adult sizes!)

Check the Fit

Image via Toys R Us

When buying a mattress size is extremely important. A safe fit means there is no space between the mattress and the crib.  If you can fit two fingers between the mattress and crib then you need a larger sized mattress.
Looking for a decor and design inspiration for your baby’s room? Check out this post.

Looking for a decor and design inspiration for your baby’s room? Check out this post.For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina. 

8 Ways to Boost Your Home's Value - feature agent BJ Long

8 Ways to Boost Your Home's Value
By Barbara Pronin

Improving the look and functionality of your home goes a long way toward boosting its value. But what types of renovation are today’s buyers looking for?

BJ Long
CSP
Office Phone: (912) 330-8330
Cell Phone: (912) 272-0081
Fax: (912) 748-0086

If you are thinking of remodeling, a national survey by Consumer Reports reveals the most sought-after amenities:

• Kitchens top the list – Buyers want a clean, updated and well-organized kitchen. A new coat of paint or modernized lighting can be inexpensive starts. Increasing the value exponentially are quartz counters, attractive cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.
• Workable floor plans – Regardless of the size of your home, strategically increasing the living space is sure to boost its value. A more open floor plan, a finished basement, or a dedicated playroom or office space appeals to the needs of young families.
• Energy efficiency – Buyers are interested in energy costs and efficiency. Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency windows, and LED lighting help to lower the cost and increase your home’s ‘green’ appeal.
• Updated systems and surfaces – Central air conditioning and updated mechanical systems, including water heaters and gas heat, can increase a home’s value by 3 to 5 percent.  A newer roof and hardwood flooring are also much in demand.
• Allowance for aging in place – As people are living longer and the number of senior citizens continues to increase, buyers see the long-term value of walk-in showers, comfort-height toilets, and master bedrooms on the main floor.
• Color and light matter – Fresh paint, natural color schemes, and window treatments that let in the light will improve the look as well as the value of your home.
• The great outdoors – Up your home’s curb appeal by keeping lawns and shrubbery neatly trimmed. Also high on buyers’ wish-lists are a water-smart yard, a deck or patio, and a built-in grill.
• Smart technology – Some high-tech features may lose value as technology continues to evolve. But security systems, whole house generators, and programmable thermostats controllable by smart phones will add value for their efficiency and convenience.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2016. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Your New Furnace Efficiency Checklist Starts with Ducts - feature agent Marion Leith

Your New Furnace Efficiency Checklist Starts with Ducts
By John Voket

So you've gone to the expense of finally replacing that old Buck Rogers-looking furnace with a high tech, high efficiency model that also coincidentally resembles a futuristic machine - albeit much smaller.

Marion Leith
Sales Associate, Associate Broker ABR,CRS,CSP,GRI
Office Phone: (912) 352-1222
Voice-mail: (912) 441-3993
Cell Phone: (912) 441-3993
Fax: (912) 356-3622

Well, I want to be sure you're new furnace is humming along as efficiently as possible, so we turned to Don Ames of Home Energy Pros - a social network and community dedicated to Home Energy professionals. 

Ames says to maximize the efficiency you’re looking for, before firing up the new furnace, check these four system items that affect how a new furnace will perform:

• Check for heating duct leakage and seal up those leaks
• Clean the air conditioner heat exchanger
• Make adjustments to the filter and the filter cabinet
• Add passages for return air that will balance the room pressure.

Before installing a new furnace and allowing efficiently heated air to escape unused, Ames says the duct system is the first and foremost thing that should be checked for air leakage, and sealed as needed.

If your utility, gas or electric, has a duct sealing program, sign up - they may test your heating ducts for free. Otherwise, Ames says just seal them yourself using generous amounts of duct mastic.

First things first - do you have metal or insulated flexible vinyl ducts?

If you have insulated flexible vinyl ducts Ames says go ahead and check connections at the metal plenum or the metal register boots. If necessary, seal all joints in the metal plenum and seal the boots to the floor.

If you have metal ducts, whether round or rectangular, Ames says seal all joints and connections in both the supply and return air ducts with mastic using a gloved hand and applying it nickel thick.

Ames reminds homeowners who want to squeeze every penny of savings from a high efficiency heating system, that sealing heating ducts is one of the most cost effective and successful retrofits you can do to your home that will save energy and lower energy bills.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2016. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Smarter Living: How to Automate Your Home - featured agent Reggie Gadson

Reggie Gadson
Sales Associate
Office Phone: (912) 352-1222
Cell Phone: (912) 604-6509
Fax: (912) 356-3622

Smarter Living: How to Automate Your Home
By Jim Burch

The home of the future doesn't just live in science fiction anymore. You can own it today. Better yet, it doesn't require thousands of dollars or long construction times. Home automation is available and affordable thanks to wireless Internet and smartphones. If you want to make your home smarter and work for you, look at these easy fixes to some of the house's longest-standing issues.

Beyond Health & Wellness
One of the biggest downfalls to completing your health and fitness goals is not a lack of motivation or discipline, but rather a lack of consistency. Stepping on the scale every morning, eating the right meals at the right time and remembering all your workouts in the gym can be tedious and overwhelming.

But when you win the morning, you win the day. So the first thing you should do when you wake up is step on the scale. The FitBit Aria Wi-Fi Scale takes your weight and body fat and sends it directly to your FitBit account online. Smartwatches like the Samsung Gear S2 can measure your sleep the night before and your steps during the day, so you don't have to give a second thought to crunching the numbers.

Beyond Lights
With the exception of incandescent to LED, lights haven't really changed in the last 100 years. They're more efficient and last longer, but you still have to remember to flip them off every time you leave the room (that's harder for some people than others). If you're looking for something better and more innovative, Philips has the answer.

The Philips Hue is an energy-efficient, long-lasting LED bulb with wireless connectivity, so you can control whether it's on or off, and how bright it is with more than just a switch. Want a light to shut off when you leave the room? Hue recognizes when your phone is away and shuts down accordingly. As an added bonus, the Hue can change colors, so you can adjust the mood in your home.

Beyond Temperature
Do you know about vampire energy? That's when the electronics and other devices you have plugged in are still consuming electricity, even when they're turned off. Computers and televisions are notorious for this, but your home's heating and cooling follows the same principle. When you are away at work for eight hours each day, your home continues to consume energy to maintain a temperature as if you were sitting in the living room.

Nest is a sleek, smart thermostat that learns your daily habits so it can raise or lower the temperature while you're gone to help you save money. It also connects wirelessly to your smartphone, so you can adjust the heating and cooling when you're away.

Beyond Security
You may already have a home security system, but it comes with a monthly fee. For example, ADT charges roughly $37 per month for its home-monitoring services, and that's just the starting price.

The Canary is a simple, all-in-one system that monitors your home's activity by watching (with its built-in camera) and listening to its surroundings while you're away. It connects to your Wi-Fi, so it sends you regular updates or emergency notifications if it detects a disturbance. It even measures the quality of air in your home to make sure everything is comfortable and normal. It can't contact the police or sound an alarm if there's a break in, but you are paying a one-time price instead of a monthly fee.

Born and raised near St. Louis, Mo., Jim Burch studied creative writing and journalism while working as an editor for the Murray State News. ​Jim's specialties range from movies and television, to consumer technology, and health and fitness.

This post was originally published on RISMedia's blog, Housecall. View the blog daily for winning real estate tips and trends.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2016. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Are You Looking for a Pet Friendly Home? - Featured Agent, Catherine Mosley

Featured Agent
Catherine B Mosley
Realtor
Office Phone: (843) 986-2444
Cell Phone: (843) 441-1854
Fax: (843) 986-2445

Are You Looking for a Pet Friendly Home?
By John Voket

In our last report, I explored ways people are using or creating pet-friendly features to sell their homes. But what if you're a pet owner looking for a new home?

Petfinder.com offers up "13 Steps to Finding Pet-Friendly Housing." One of the key points is understanding why many housing communities reject pets.

Any potential landlord, housing manager, property owner, or condominium association board member may have had bad experiences with irresponsible pet owners who didn’t safely confine their animals or pick up their feces, sneaked pets in, or left ruined carpets and drapes when they moved out.

They may be worried about complaints from neighbors about barking dogs and wonder how they are going to deal effectively with pet owners if problems arise.

That’s why people looking for an apartment, house, or condominium to rent must be able to sell themselves as responsible pet owners, who are committed to providing responsible pet care and being responsible neighbors.

Petfinder.com says the more documentation you can provide attesting to your conscientiousness as a pet owner, the more convincing your appeal will be to your future landlord. Compile the following documents:



A letter of reference from your current landlord or condominium association verifying that you are a responsible pet owner.

Written proof that your adult dog has completed a training class, or that your puppy is enrolled in one.

A letter from your veterinarian stating that you have been diligent in your pet’s medical care. Supply documentation that your pet has been spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies. (Sterilized pets are healthier, calmer, and far less likely to be a nuisance to neighbors.) Most veterinarians routinely fulfill such requests for their clients.
Don't forget, petfinder.com says, responsible pet owners make excellent residents. Because they must search harder for a place to live, pet caregivers are more likely to stay put.

Lower vacancy rates mean lower costs and fewer headaches for landlords and real estate agents. Let prospective landlords and managers know that you understand that living with a companion animal is a privilege, not a right.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2016. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Catherine Mosley Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Beaufort

Catherine Mosley Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team in Beaufort

Catherine Mosley, a new home and residential property specialist, has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Realtor for the Company’s Beaufort office, located at 1211 Boundary Street. 

 

Catherine B Mosley, Realtor
Office Phone: (843) 986-2444
Cell Phone: (843) 441-1854
Fax: (843) 986-2445

After earning her BS from Auburn University, Catherine entered a corporate position which took her around the world.  During her twenty-one years in this position, Catherine managed multiple clients, contracts and global teams; she had the opportunity to develop dynamic negotiating skills and unrivaled management capabilities.  Catherine earned her real estate license in 2007 and recently became a full-time REALTOR® and says, “It’s my goal to ensure my buyers and sellers receive the highest level of service, negotiation and professionalism in their transactions.”  Catherine chose Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “…I love the great system, processes and marketing coupled with ongoing training.  The Company invests in their agents to ensure buyers and sellers have the most professional experience.”

Catherine Mosely may be reached at (843) 441-1854 or via email at Catherine.mosley@coldwellbanker.com.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.