Prepare Your Lake Lanier Home Plumbing For Cold Weather!

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Severe Cold Coming to Atlanta and North Georgia   Protect Your Plumbing From The Deep Freeze

The Weather Channel is predicting temperatures to be well below freezing for Atlanta and surrounding areas this week.  The low temperatures will continue for 2-4 days and will be considered a "hard freeze". We are urging our clients, customers, associates and employees to protect their plumbing pipes.   Why do pipes freeze and break during a cold spell?   When temperatures drop below freezing, water freezes and expands. The expanding water in your home's waterlines can cause the pipes in your home to crack or burst under this pressure and possibly flood your home or business. Pipes that freeze first are usually located near outside walls or in unfinished areas of your home where they can be exposed to the subfreezing temperatures. Outdoor hose bibs, pool lines, indoor and outdoor sprinkler systems, and other supply lines located in crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basements or attics are especially susceptible.    Steps to prevent frozen pipes   Taking action before cold weather sets in can save you thousands of dollars in water damage from broken or burst pipes. Following the steps below will help reduce the chances of having a plumbing emergency during the cold winter months:   Turn off the shut-off valves to all outside hose connections. Be sure to open the valves on the outside to allow all the water to drain out of the pipes. Keep garage doors and basement entries closed tightly if there are any water supply lines or valves in that area. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors (during the freeze warning) and all other cabinet areas that are located on outside walls. This will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing keeping pipes above freezing. Protect all exposed water piping. Insulate all areas where water supply lines are unheated. Keep in mind areas with running water outside (fountains, outdoor kitchens etc.), crawl spaces, garages, basements, attics, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets that are up against an outside wall. Both hot and cold water lines should be insulated in these spaces. A hot water supply line can freeze just as fast as a cold water supply line can freeze if water is not running through the pipe. During frigid cold snaps, do not alternate temperature settings on your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night will help to keep pipe temperatures consistent. If leaving for an extended period of time, do not set thermostat below 60 degrees F. If you have water pipes in your attic, open access doors or stairs to allow warm air to circulate into the attic and around the pipes. Don't forget to check and protect your water heater during cold temps. Installing a water heater blanket can protect your water heater and help maintain temperature. NOTE: If the home is vacant or if you are going to be gone for a long period of time, additional steps may be necessary to properly winterize your home.  Check with your local plumber for a thorough evaluation of your home.   What if I experience a broken pipe?   The single most important thing for any homeowner to know is where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to use it. Ensuring each member of your household knows how to turn off the water to your home in the event of a water line break or water heater failure can prevent severe flooding and damage in the event of a critical failure.     A Little Prevention Can Save You Thousands Of Dollars. And That's...  Good To Know! TM

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

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Frigid Temps Hitting Lake Lanier! But The Real Estate Market Is Heating Up!

Wow! They weren't kidding about the cold weather rolling in here! As of 1:30 PM today my thermometer outside is registering a chilly 27° here at Lake Lanier. And that is really about as warm as it's going to get today, or for the next few days for that matter. As I'm sure you have probably heard, the temperatures are expected to drop down into the single digits over the next day or so. That's as cold as it's been here in many years.

For all of you that own second homes out here on Lake Lanier, it is advised that you winterize your home immediately if you have not already done so. All of this cold weather and managing properties during the winter months brings to mind the need for many people to have a reliable property management company. We have posted many times in the past, that our very own company Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices can provide this service for you in our Property Management / Home Leasing Program.

And what about your boat?  It is usually important to have that winterized as well. For me, that meant contacting MarineMax on Lake Lanier and having my boat professionally winterized in order to protect it against the very cold weather that we are experiencing now! Every year I have this done, and I often wonder if it is really necessary when the Lake temperatures typically do not stay down this low for a very long time. But each time that I have my boat winterized, I always ask the service technicians if they see cases of engine failure due to cold weather and freezing temperatures on Lake Lanier. Their answer is always the same. Each year, often as the weather warms up, boat owners will head to their boats in preparation for their first spring outing. The boat will not want to start, and often times it will not even turn over. The techs at MarineMax tell me that they get numerous calls in the spring regarding this issue. And many of these times the reason for the failure is a cracked block or major engine failure due to the motor not being winterized in the boat. And that my friends is an expensive fix!

Despite the cold weather, things are still heating up here in the Lake Lanier real estate market. We are seeing lots of sales activity, and fielding lots of calls from people looking for Lake Lanier homes and lots. Most of the calls and emails that we are getting regarding homes are in search of homes priced under $400,000. Here is a look at what is currently for sale in that price range. As always, if we can assist you in your property search or if we can help in getting your Lake Lanier property sold please contact us by phone or email. Stay warm!

Lake Lanier Homes For Sale $300,000-$400,000

Lake Lanier Homes For Sale $100,000-$300,000


Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

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• Lake Lanier Area Local Real Estate Market Reports For October! Check The Stats With Us!
• Happy New Year From Lake Sidney Lanier Homes Where Real Estate Activity Is On The Rise!

Prudential Georgia Realty's Home Rental Program

In yesterday's post, I promised you that we would have more details on a program that just could benefit you sellers who are having a hard time getting your home sold in this tough market. When you think of Prudential, you naturally think of a full service company involved in many aspects of insurance, financials and real estate. Our property management program is full service as well! Our team of professionals are the Home Rental Experts. Check out our complete list of features and benefits.

Features and Benefits

Prudential Georgia Realty`s Residential Property Management Division is the home rental expert. No shopping centers, no office buildings. Homes are what we manage because homes are what we know best.

Whether it is property purchased with investment in mind, a house you`d like to lease until a buyer is found, or the dream home you plan to return to, rely on the Rock SolidTM real estate experience of Prudential Georgia Realty to lease and maintain your home for you.

Discover the Prudential Advantage...


More Personalized Attention.

Your Prudential Georgia Realty Management agent combines proven marketing tools with an unprecedented level of personal involvement.

Agents personally accompany prospects to your home.

Agents assist your tenants to assure a smooth move in.

Your agent is there for you and your tenant 24 hours a day. Our pagers and voice mail never sleep.

Qualified Tenants

Prudential Georgia Realty Property Management agents are masters at the art of matching people and property.

Your home is advertised to a targeted market.

Your home will be placed in First Multiple Listing Service for maximum exposure.

Prospective tenants are qualified through interviews, references and credit checks.

Our agents work to develop and maintain a positive relationship between owners and tenants for a win-win arrangement for you, your home and its temporary residents.

Attention to Detail

Prudential Georgia Realty Property Management Division eliminates surprises.

Agents verify your home`s fair market value and prepare a management budget analysis so you know exactly what to expect each month.

Your agent contacts the tenant immediately if payment is delayed. Computerized monthly reports and a complete annual accounting keep you informed at all times.

Professional Follow-Up

No more emergency late night calls for maintenance.

Agents evaluate and assess responsibility for any damages that may occur, then examine all repair work and approve invoices.

Rely on your Prudential Georgia Realty Property Management agent to scrutinize estimates and the quality of work performed as carefully as you would.

Thorough move-in, move-out inspections are conducted.

Investment Potential

Your Prudential Georgia Realty Property Management agent utilizes the resources of an attorney who specializes in Landlord/Tenant laws.

Your agent and an attorney who specializes in Landlord/Tenant laws monitor any changes and act on any lease issues or changes that may affect your property.

Your agent can assist you in maximizing your home`s investment potential.

Customized Services

Your situation is as unique as your home.

Our Tenant Placement option is ideal if you prefer managing your home yourself, but want the convenience and security of having professionals qualify your tenants and execute leases.

If you decide to sell your home, Prudential Georgia Realty Property Management Division can facilitate a swift and smooth move from lease to listing.

Unsure whether to sell or rent? Do Both! Prudential will offer your home for rent or for sale. This gives you maximum leverage to accomplish your real estate goals.

For more information, please call or email us.


www.LakeSidneyLanierHomes.com