Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

Leaving boxes by the curb alongside the trash lets burglars know you've got new toys inside. You come home to an open front door, a ransacked house, and missing valuables. How did a burglar know you’d be gone? How did they get in? In these 10 thank-you notes, your friendly neighborhood burglars share advice on how to stop lending them a helping hand. 1. Thanks for the ladder! Call me a social climber if you will, but I did discover a ladder in your back yard. Thank you for leaving it where I could lean it against your home and easily reach a second-story window. I really love it when upper story openings aren’t wired to a home security system! So, if you want to keep me out, store your ladder in the basement or a locked garage. And call your security company to wire upper-story windows into your alarm system. Vertically yours, A rising star 2. Loved your trash Can’t tell you how much fun I have driving around neighborhoods on trash day (especially after big gift ho...

Acquiring a solar system for your house is a lot like buying a car. Depending on your financial situation, your decision process may vary. You just need to understand the ramifications of each type of purchase. There are several ways to purchase solar; using cash, financing a loan, or leasing. Each has its pros and cons.  Purchasing a Solar System with Cash Pros : Like any purchase, paying cash is usually the cheapest in the long run. You won’t pay any interest, and there are no monthly payments. If you have $15,000 – $25,000 sitting idle in a savings account, you can buy a solar system. Instead of earning interest on your savings, your “return” will be in the form of reduced electric bills. You may be able to offset a $200/month electric bill which equals a “return” of $2,400 / year. This is a great option if you know you will be selling your house. The addition of solar panels may empower you to sell your house for more money. Cons : You spend a lot of money. At the e...