News Bites

Open House

We are hosting an Open House on August 13, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm featuring a ranch and two story home in the Linden area. More information can be found on our website HERE.

Save the Date! Homeowner Appreciation Event

The COCLT is having its annual Homeowner Appreciation event on October 19, 2023, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm. More details to come on location, great prizes, and how to R.S.V.P.

Welcome Home

Please join COCLT in welcoming homeowners who have recently closed

on their new homes.

How to Deal with the Increases in AEP Ohio Energy Bills

AEP Ohio has recently announced an estimated 30% increase in energy costs that will affect homeowners until May 2024.

Energy Tips. With the current increases as a homeowner there are steps that can be taken to help lessen the impact of the energy rate increase all year long.

The thermostat temperature should be adjusted based on the season during the day when no one is home and overnight while you are sleeping.
Consider installing window treatments to help with insulating the temperature in your home, which can lower your energy costs.
The use of your ceiling fan will allow you to raise or lower the thermostat setting about 4°F with no decrease in comfort.
Natural light can be used when possible to avoid turning on too many lights in your home.
Operation of your dishwasher and washer/dryer at night will keep the house cooler.
Arranging the layout of furnishings away from the floor or return air vents keeps the air flow from being blocked.
Bathroom doors should be open after taking a shower to allow warm, moist air to circulate.
Energy efficient light bulbs help conserve kilo watt usage.
Meals prepared outside on the grill during warm weather months help save on energy instead of using your stove and other appliances.

Franklin County Property Value Assessment

The Franklin County auditor expects the values of the county’s properties to rise to a record level when it completes its 2023 mass appraisal in December. While the 2020 valuation update grew values at a record rate of 20%, county Auditor Michael Stinziano expects this appraisal to exceed it with property value increases of 30 to 40%. How this impacts you as a homeowner means higher values on your property, which can slightly increase the tax portion of your overall mortgage payment. If you have a home with a tax abatement, the rate of increase will only equal an additional portion of your property taxes, and not the full amount. Homeowners do have the option to appeal the valuation done on their home to be sure an accurate assessment has been completed. Some of the most common scenarios that increase the property value through home improvements can include adding a deck or patio, installing a fence, or adding square footage. More information on property values in Franklin County can be found HERE.

Homeowner Tips

Hang a Perfect Picture

A great aspect of being a homeowner is being able to decorate your home and make it unique. One of the most common ways to accent your home is by hanging family pictures and other wall art. At the same time, you don't want to damage the walls of your home. Here are tips, techniques, and products you can use to properly hang your pictures.

Tools Needed

Stud Finder
Masking tape or painter's tape
Tape Measurer
Hammer
Hangers
Anchors (if necessary)

Find a Stud

Locate the studs in the area you are working in using a Stud finder
Keep note of the location of the stud by making a light mark with a pencil

Measure the Wall

Measure up from the floor 57 inches to mark the center of where you would like to hang your picture
Make note of the area you measured using a pencil

Plan your Picture Placement

Decide what height works best for your picture
Pictures that are in a set of three frames need to have enough clearance room in order to fit each frame on the wall

Hang your Picture

Carefully measure down from the level line to match the location of the hardware on the frame
Secure the hanger into the wall with the hammer Hang the picture. Use a level to make sure it is straight

Summer Storm Preparation

During the summer months there are often heavy wind and rain storms. Homeowners have to be prepared to minimize any damages that could occur to their home before storms hit their area. Here are some preventive measures that can be taken.

Consider investing in a portable power bank. This would allow some of your home systems to be functional during a storm power outage. Prices vary on portable power banks, so completing a price comparison would be the first step in selecting the right device for your home.

Be sure to charge your cell phone and any electronic devices you would like to be able to use during a storm. Plan ahead and keep several working chargers in a common access area for your household.

Prepare a storm kit with needed items that include: a flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, bottled water, radio, non perishable food items, and solar powered fans.

Check your down spouts for any water leaks. Make sure your gutter's down spouts and extenders are secured and will not detach during a heavy downpour.

Clear your yard of any patio furniture, plants, or lights that you do not want damaged. Give yourself time before you know a storm may hit to secure outdoor items inside your home or garage.

After the storm, check for any damages to the exterior and yard of your home. Planning ahead definitely reduces the chances of damage. If needed, as a homeowner you have the option to file an insurance claim for any major damage.

Take Care of your Air Conditioner

With the summer months also comes the increased use of your air conditioning unit. There are some important tips to keep in mind to ensure your air conditioner continues to run efficiently.

Change your air filter based on your user manual to maintain proper air flow in your home. Write down the date you change out the filter so you can keep good records of supplies needed. Also, ensure you purchase the right size air filter for your HVAC system.

Schedule an annual maintenance check to make certain your outdoor air conditioning unit is running well and does not have any build up or debris. Clean the area as needed.

Hire a professional to check the coolant lines to see if there are areas where the insulation is frayed or missing. If so, replace it with new foam insulation sleeves.

Let your ac unit rest when you are not home. The U.S. Department of Energy has recommended that you leave your thermostat at 78°F when at home and turn it up several degrees warmer when the house is empty.