Flood Insurance

Flood insurance rates are going up

Property owners who have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program will see their insurance premium rates increase due to changes that took effect April 1, 2016.

The NFIP, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, works with private insurance companies to offer flood insurance at rates that are set nationally.

Here are a few highlights of the changes:

• Premiums, surcharges, and fees will increase.
• Premium rates will increase an average of 9%; however, some premiums will increase as much as 25%.
• Premium rates will vary according to where the property is located. Flood maps are being revised, so a property may be located in different NFIP zone now. Use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to find flood maps by address.

Cedar Creek Lake Festival. LOTS OF FUN!

The Cedar Creek Lake Festival for 2016 is tomorrow 4/23 from noon to 6pm at the grounds of the Cedar Creek Brewery. There will be food, live entertainment, kids area, special events, all kinds of exhibits from local business people. Come visit the Coldwell Banker booth! Lots of FUN!

Sellers Market!

We are definitely in a sellers market at this time. Listing inventory is lower than normal. I have a few tips for the buyers looking in this market:

1. Be ready to go look at a property as soon as your agent calls.
2. Bring your paperwork such as a bank letter showing proof of funds or a pre-qual letter from your lender. If the property is a foreclosure you may be one step ahead of another buyer with this already in hand.
3. Limit your requirements for purchase especially in a hot market where there are multiple offers on homes.
4. Look at homes a little further out than your prime location. You may find the perfect home that is worth the extra drive.

Have a Great Weekend! The Cedar Creek Lake Festival is this Saturday so please come join us!

Upcoming Event

Hey guys! The Saturday 4/23/16 is 24th Annual Kidfish and Playday at Purtis Creek State Par, 14225 FM 316, Eusatce, TX 75124, from 8am to noon. Kids learn to bait a hook, cast a line and fish!

Take the family and have some fun!

Water Heaters

Maintaining your Water Heater

Storage tank water heaters are the type of appliance that can hum along for years. Once installed, they don't need constant attention. However, they do require maintenance to keep them running at peak efficiency. These are mostly simple tasks that you can do yourself, but you can also hire a pro to perform regular maintenance for you. Here are some tips on how you can keep your water heater working proficiently, and how often it will need maintenance. Be sure to review the owner's manual that came with your water heater. It usually spells out necessary maintenance tasks, as well as other important information, such as safety precautions and size specifications. When in doubt, refer to the manual. If you can't find the manual, check the manufacturer's website for instructions on obtaining a copy. Consult a professional before attempting any maintenance tasks, and make sure that the water line and the power to the water heater are safely shut off before beginning. Ongoing Maintenance Keep the area around the water heater free of clutter. Gas heaters have vents at the bottom that must be kept clear to aid in the heating element combustion. Never store anything with flammable vapors, such as gasoline or paint thinner, near a gas water heater. Providing a clear space around the appliance makes it easy to get to the water shutoff in an emergency. It also gives repairmen room to work on the heater, should a service call be necessary. Three to Four Times a Year Drain some of the tank's water to remove the sediment that collects on the bottom of the tank. All incoming water contains sediment that, over time, can hinder the performance of your water heater. The amount you need to drain will depend on the condition of the water. Shut off the power. For electric heaters, shut the unit down completely. For gas heaters, move the control dial to "pilot". Turn off the cold water supply to the tank. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve located near the bottom of the tank, and then run the hose to a drain. Open a hot water faucet in a nearby sink and leave it open. Open the water heater's drain valve. Caution: Be careful. The water will be very hot. Drain the tank until the water runs clear. This may take a few minutes or longer. Once the water is clear, close the drain valve and turn on the water supply. You'll know the tank is full when water is flowing through the faucet you left open earlier. When the tank is full, turn the power back on. . The frequency of this procedure will depend on the condition of your water. If the water is perfectly clear from the start, you probably don't need to drain your tank often. If the water is very dirty, you may need to drain it more frequently.

Celebrating Lake Life

Cedar Creek Lake Festival is coming up in Seven Points on April 23rd from noon to 6pm. It will be located on the grounds of the Cedar Creek Brewery. Hope to see you there!

On the Way!

We are on the way to learn about marketing using Social Media today! Hope to learn lots of great stuff! More info to follow - Have a Great Week!

Cedar Creek Lake is Buzzing! The lake is full and we saw a lot of activity last weekend when the weather was nice. Come check out Cedar Creek Lake, located about 65 miles southeast of Dallas. We will be looking for ya! Have a Great week!