This Home Has Aluminum Wiring, Should I Be Worried?

Many times when working with home buyers we are asked, “This home has aluminum wiring, should I be worried?” The answer is, not necessarily.

Many home buyers while looking for a home are scared off from considering a nice home because the home has aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring doesn’t necessarily mean a home is unsafe, an older home with aluminum wiring might just need some minor updates to the home wiring.

Aluminum wire has been used in houses, power grids, and airplanes. Actually, aluminum provides a better conductivity to weight ratio than copper, and that is why it is used in power wiring of some aircraft. Most people didn’t know that utility companies have used aluminum wire for electrical transmission in power grids since the early 1900s. Because it has cost and weight advantages over copper wires, aluminum wire is the preferred material in transmission and distribution applications.

When the price of copper spiked in the mid-1960s, aluminum wire was manufactured in sizes small enough to use in homes to save on building cost. Aluminum wire requires a larger wire gauge than copper to carry the same current.

When aluminum wiring was first used in homes , it was installed the same way as copper. Typical connections from electrical wire to electrical devices, are usually made by wrapping the wire around screw terminals and tightening the screw. Over time, many of these terminations to aluminum wire began to fail due to improper connection techniques and dissimilar metals having different resistances. These connection failures generated heat under electrical load and caused overheated connections.

In the late 1960s, a device specification were revised several time for aluminum wiring. A new specification called CO/ALR (meaning copper-aluminum, revised) was created. CO/ALR applies only to standard light switches and receptacles; CU/AL is the standard marking for circuit breakers and larger equipment.

Upgrading or Repairing Aluminum Wiring in Homes
There are several upgrade or repair options that can be used in pre-1974 homes with aluminum wiring.
- The most expensive option is completely rewiring the house with copper wires.
- "Pigtailing" is a less expensive option that involves splicing a short length of copper wire (pigtail) to the original aluminum wire, and then attaching the copper wire to the existing electrical device. The splice of the copper pigtail to the existing aluminum wire uses special wire nuts, special crimp connectors, or special miniature lug-type connectors.

Aluminum wiring in a home shouldn’t scare a home buyer off from purchasing a home. Many times a home owner who is selling the home has already performed the recommended safety upgrades to the home wiring. Check out this article for more information on aluminum wiring.

Contact the Sullivan and Sullivan team if you would like to talk about purchasing a home with aluminum wiring or be referred to an electrician who can assess and make updates to homes with aluminum wiring.

Technorati Tags: aluminum wiring,aluminum wiring in home,homeowner tip,pigtailing,saftey tip

Move-in Ready 2400 Sq Ft, 4 Bedroom Home in a Desirable Pantego Neighborhood

You don't want to miss this Move-in Ready 2400 Sq Ft, 4 Bedroom Home in a Desirable Pantego Neighborhood. Situated on a corner lot this lovely home has a side entry 3 car garage and parking for a RV or boat. The master bedroom has a separate sunny sitting area. There is a large kitchen with an island that has a breakfast area connecting to a sun room. There are 2 bay windows one in a living area and the other graces the formal dining room. This Pantego property is close to shopping, good schools and easy access to freeways. The interior of the home has been completely repainted with tasteful colors. For more information on this great home follow this link.

To schedule a showing please contact the Sullivan & Sullivan Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Realty

Technorati Tags: home for Sale,Pantego TX,3315 Peachtree Ln,4 Bedrooms

Beautiful Home and Best deal in Robson Ranch

One of the nicest Active 55 Communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is Robson Ranch in Denton.  If you are looking for a  Beautiful Home and Best deal in Robson Ranch, look no further.  This home is 1818 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a study.  The home has designer colors, crown molding, extended covered patio and a spacious master bedroom.
For more information 9504 Ravenwood Drive in Robson Ranch click on this link.
Watch this video of the property

Robson Ranch Home for Sale 9504 Ravenwood Dr. Denton, TX

If you have any questions about downsizing, buying and selling homes please contact the Sullivan & Sullivan team, we are happy to answer your questions.

Technorati Tags: 9504 Ravenwood Dr,Denton TX,Home for Sale,Robson Ranch

A Team of Professionals Can Help Make Senior Downsizing Stress Free

Moving can be a stressful experience for anyone. For Seniors, Moving and Downsizing can be extremely stressful with all that is involved. Working with a team of professionals can help make Senior Downsizing stress free. Seniors usually have a life time of possessions to deal with and the stress of what to do with all of their stuff can be overwhelming. The Sullivan & Sullivan team have surrounded themselves with professionals who have a passion in working with senior clients. We help our clients organize their possessions and determine what to do with everything. Our packers and movers help the client determine what will fit in their new home, move them, unpack and get the clients new home set-up and organized. Our Estate Sale team can help clients sell possessions that they are not keeping or giving to family. Sometimes a client needs to do some repairs to the home they are moving from so that they can get the maximum return from their home investment. We have trusted home repair experts who can help make repairs reasonably and reliably. Our goal is to help clients have a downsizing experience that is as stress free as possible, so that they can start enjoying their new lifestyle.

Recently we help our client, Doris Woodard with the downsizing process and below is an interview with Doris regarding her experience.

Senior Downsizing Experience

Here are a couple more articles on downsizing:

Senior Downsizing a 5 Step Plan

How Do You Know It's Time to Downsize

Please click this link to contact the Sullivan & Sullivan Real Estate Team if you have any additional questions about Senior Downsizing.

Technorati Tags: Estate Sale,Movers,Packers,Senior Downsizing

The Importance of Senior Estate Planning

Because our business is centered on helping Senior’s Downsize in addition to being children of aging parents, we have come to realize the importance of  Senior Estate Planning for seniors and their children.

According to Guy Garner, Arlington Elder Law Attorney, “The term “estate planning” has been defined as the art of designing a plan for the effective
enjoyment, management, and disposition of property at the minimum possible legal and tax cost.”  Mr. Garner’s client, defined estate planning in this manner:
“We want to control our property while we are alive and well, care for ourselves
and our loved ones if we become disabled, and be able to give what we have, to
whom we want, the way we want, and when we want, and, if we can, we want to
save every last tax dollar, attorney fee, and court cost possible.”
Garner believes there are six basic, essential estate planning tools that should be used, or at least strongly considered, for every adult living in the state of Texas.

TOOL NUMBER ONE – WILLS/LIVING TRUSTS

TOOL NUMBER 2 – A DURABLE GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
(Someone to watch over my daily business affairs)

TOOL NUMBER 3 – MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
(Someone to watch over me in a medical emergency)

TOOL NUMBER 4 – DECLARATION OF GUARDIAN
(Someone to watch over me if I become incompetent)

TOOL NUMBER 5 – THE LIVING WILL/DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIANS
(My instructions for care if I am terminally ill or have an incurable disease)

TOOL NUMBER 6 – THE HIPAA RELEASE DOCUMENT

Mr. Garner has a very informative and more extensive article called “The Texas Six and it can be found by clicking on this link.”  We have used Mr. Garner for our parent’s estate planning and would highly recommend him for his expertise and caring manner.

Other estate planning resources that you may want to consider:

AARP - Legal Documents You Need Now!

Texas Your Lawyers Association - Seniors and the Law

As always the Sullivan & Sullivan team are available to help you with your Senior Downsizing needs.  Feel free to contact us by clicking here.

Technorati Tags: Seniors,Downsizing,Estate Planning,Living Will,Living Trust,Power of Attorney,Medical Power of Attorney

Safety Tips for Tornados and Severe Weather

It’s that time of year in the Dallas Fort Worth and North Texas area when Severe Weather disrupts our lives. Here are some Safety Tips for Tornados and Severe Weather. More tornadoes occur in the United States than any other country in the world, and more tornadoes occur in Texas than any other state.

Tornados

• When you faced with a tornado warning Below-ground shelters, and reinforced "safe rooms" provide the best protection against tornadic winds.
• Basements are rare in North Texas but if you happen to have a basement, seek shelter in the Northeast corner of a basement.
• If a basement is not available, go to the smallest, most-interior room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom. Cover yourself to protect your body from flying debris.
• In schools, hospitals, factories or shopping centers, go to the smallest, most-interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor. Stay away from glass enclosed places or areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums and warehouses. Crouch down and cover your head. Sometimes in restaurants or grocery stores people seek refuge in walk-in cooler.
• In high rise buildings, go to the smallest, most-interior rooms or hallways. Stay away from exterior walls and windows. In some buildings like a banks people commonly seek shelter in vaults.
• In cars or mobile homes, abandon them immediately!! Cars and mobile homes provide no protection from tornadic winds. If you are in either of those locations, leave them and go to a substantial structure or designated tornado shelter. Do not attempt to seek shelter beneath an overpass or bridge.  They provide little or no shelter and have proved to be deadly options.
• If caught in the open, lie flat in a culvert, ditch or depression and cover your head.

Lightning

Lightning is a threat anywhere thunderstorms occur.  If you hear thunder, it is time to take shelter. 

• When inside:
  - Avoid using the telephone, or other electrical appliances.
  - Do not take a bath or shower, or stand near plumbing.
• If caught outdoors:
  - Seek shelter in a sturdy building.  A hard-top automobile can also offer protection.
  - If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water and move to a safe shelter on land.
  - If you are in a wooded area, seek shelter under a thick growth of relatively small trees.
  - If you feel your hair standing on end, squat with your head between your knees. Do not lie flat!
  - Avoid isolated trees or other tall objects, water, fences, convertible cars, tractors and motorcycles.

Flash Floods
Flash Floods develop quickly.  They can occur anywhere, along rivers or creeks, in low water crossings or in a dry stream bed. They can occur during any month and at any time during the day. In fact, flash floods often occur at night when it is difficult to find an escape route.  Flash floods can be deceptive. Flood waters are likely deeper and moving faster than you think.

• When driving:
  - Avoid low water crossings.
  - Use alternate routes to avoid flood prone areas.
  - Leave your vehicle immediately if it stalls in flood waters.
  - Move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
  - Most cars and light trucks will begin to float in as little as 12 inches of water.
  - Act quickly, rising waters make vehicle doors difficult to open.
• If you are outside:
  - Everyone, especially children, should stay away from flooded creeks, streams or drainage ditches.
  - Swiftly flowing water can quickly sweep away even the strongest swimmers.
  - Soggy banks can collapse, dumping you into flood waters.

Hail

• In a car: Stop driving. If you can see a safe place close-by to drive to (like inside a garage or under a service station awning), do so as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway. Do not stop under bridges or overpasses!
• Do NOT leave the vehicle until it stops hailing. Your car will furnish reasonable protection. Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something (Carry a blanket in your car or use a piece of clothing). If possible, get onto the floor face down, or lay down on the seat with your back to the windows. Put very small children under you, and cover their eyes.
• In a building: seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. Stay inside until the hail stops. Stay away from skylights and windows, especially windows that are being struck by hail.
• If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter immediately. If you can’t find something to protect your entire body, at least find something to protect your head. Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that might fill suddenly with water. Trees are a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches. Also, large isolated trees attract lightning.

After a severe weather event if you are faced with roof or other damage that needs to be repaired and need a recommendation for a good roofing company or construction contractor who can help you with home repairs, contact the Sullivan & Sullivan team, Your Real Estate Professionals.

Technorati Tags: Severe Weather,North Texas,Safety Tips,Dallas Fort Worth,Tornados,Lightning,Hail,Flood

How Do You Know It’s Time to Downsize?

Is it time to move to a smaller home or downsize? Do you live in a large home with stairs to climb, too many rooms to heat and cool and too much on-going maintenance? Maybe you could use some of the equity you’ve built up in your current home. As our lives change so do our housing needs. That too big home may have been perfect when raising kids, it offered plenty of room and was close to good schools, and was in a great neighborhood. Now the kids have moved on, the neighborhood has changed, and so have your housing needs. So, how do you know it’s time to downsize?

• Do You Need the Equity From Your Current Home?
  In 2010 the median home equity for those between the ages of 55 and 64 was $100,000, according to Reuters. Americans aged 65 and over did even better; they typically claimed $135,000 in home equity. This built up equity may be your main retirement savings. Sometimes selling a home and converting that equity to cash will help you move to a retirement community or smaller maintenance free home.
• Do You Have Too Much House?
  Are you paying taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance for a home that is too large for your current lifestyle? Would moving to a smaller, lower priced home, condo or apartment be easier to manage and save you resources?
• Does Your Home Work With Your Current Physical Ability?
  Do you have stairs that are now too much or unsafe for you to climb? Is there too much upkeep and maintenance for you to manage in your current home? Do you need more access ability for a walker or wheelchair?
• Do You Want To Be Closer to Family, Friends or Doctors?
  Would you like to move closer to family so that you can spend more time with your kids and grandchildren? Maybe your doctors or stores where you like to shop are not convenient. Are there good friend or relatives that you would like to live closer to?
• Would A Move Improve Your Lifestyle?
  Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel and would like to live in a small home that you could lock and leave so that you can visit those destinations on your wish list. Have you always wanted to live by a golf course, a beach or the mountains? Maybe you would like to live in a senior community that offers low maintenance living, social activities, bridge clubs, great meals, or health and wellness programs. Here are some of AARPs Best Places to Live lists.

As you can see there are a number of considerations when deciding to downsize. Downsizing can be for financial, health, family or lifestyle reasons. Consider the reasons, talk it over with your family and seek advice from financial, legal and real estate professionals. Careful planning and sound advice are crucial to a successful move.
We would love to assist you with planning for your downsize. 
The Sullivan & Sullivan real estate team specializes in helping older adults with the sometimes daunting downsize journey.   One of the resources we offer our clients is a complimentary “Downsizing Made Easy Guide.”  Click here to contact us for more information.

Technorati Tags: Senior,Adult,Downsize,Real Estate,Selling a home,AARP,Moving