Liz Davis Homes » weather

Enjoying the Wonderful Weather

Liz Davis — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:22:23 +0000

We are coming into the time of year that just makes you appreciate the sunshine and warmth it brings. It’s not quite hot enough to be uncomfortable and is the perfect time of year to start some outdoor activities with your family or friends. I love to see how many young mothers are out with their new babies as well as watching fathers jogging through the park with their children in one of those jogging contraptions.

It is also a great time of year to access your yard and gardens; especially if you are looking to sell your home anytime soon. The “curb appeal” is a major factor when selling a home. I cannot tell you how many properties I pull up to where the buyer says no before ever leaving the car! Though I can sometimes convince them to at least take a look, the seller has made a really bad impression. The inside better be immaculate to overcome the first impression.

If you need some help, call Teacup Gardener. They have done some wonderful work for sellers in the past getting their yards and garden in great condition to sell.

Weather Affects Real Estate

Liz Davis — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:06:22 +0000

After a very good December in regard to home sales there was an expectation that January and February would follow suit. However, no one expected the type of weather that paralyzed much of the nation. When people cannot move around freely, home sales normally fall. This is just the way it is. Fortunately for the Middle Tennessee Area, the weather wasn’t near as distracting as it was in other parts of the country. This is one reason that real estate is always considered local.

For those that are selling, this is a great time to have your house on the market as the last of the first time homebuyers look to get a house under contract before the end of April. At the same time, it is a good time to buy because of the tax credits for most buyers as well as interest rates that are still well below normal. There are good buys in almost every price range but it won’t always be that way. If you are ready, start looking. You will be glad you did.

Driving in the Snow

Liz Davis — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 04:36:07 +0000

When it comes to driving, one of the things many fear is driving in the snow or on streets after it has snowed, and for good reason, it is slick! I have a friend who lived in Wyoming and Colorado for many years who has given me a tip that I would like to pass along; even though it may be too late this time.

What I learned is to use the cars gears to slow it down and not the brakes. Of course this is assuming you are not going fast under these types of road conditions. You also should drive in the lowest gears in the worse weather and not be in drive with your foot on the brake. A slow movement forward is much better in the snow that the go and stop motion when relying on the brakes. This also helps prevent sliding. However, if you find yourself in a slide you will need to steer towards the slide and not against it. This is totally against what you think you should be doing and is why you need to give other vehicles a very wide berth; two to three times the distance you would normally follow the vehicle in front of you.

The most important thing to remember is that nothing is worth your life so; if you don’t have to be out when the weather and roads are bad, then don’t go out. Be safe to drive another day!

Getting Ready for Hot Weather

Liz Davis — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:58:40 +0000

You won’t read about it or hear much about it but hot weather is a leading killer of many people all over the world. This is one of the reasons there is such conversation about global warming and it doesn’t matter if you believe it is real or not, the fact is, if you are not careful, heat can kill you.

So what can you do about the heat? It seems there are many things you can do to protect yourself against the heat but the three main things are these:

Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. That is done by drinking water or water based non-sugar drinks like tea or coffee throughout the day.
Regulate your own body temperature. This is done by feeling and acting on the signals that your body puts out; if you are tired find some shade and rest; if you are hot find a cool rag or water and cool your self down with that or a cool drink.
Use a good sunscreen on your face and other exposed areas of your body every day.

By just doing these three things you can reduce overheating and sun exposure damage and be ready for the hot weather in no time!

Deciding When to Paint

Liz Davis — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:01:48 +0000

It has been a tough spring for painting in the Nashville Area. All the rain and moisture in the air can make it very difficult to do any type of outside painting as well as painting the interior of your home. When there is this kind of damp weather you will need twice as long for the paint to dry indoors before replacing furniture or hanging pictures and other wall decorations. Just because paint does not come off on your fingers does not mean it is ready. If you touch it and is feels “sticky” or “tacky” then it is not yet completely dry.

Of course, when you pain outside you need to use a good outdoor paint that will last more than a few years. This may cost you a little bit more up front but it is well worth it in time spent painting down the line. It really needs to be above 70 degrees and sunny for several days; the first day or so to get the painting completed and another one to two days for it to dry and adhere to the surface. We have not had a string of sunny days in several weeks but I’m sure they are coming. If you are ready to paint, just wait on the weather a little bit longer.

It’s Time to Consider a Flu Shot

Liz Davis — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:11:04 +0000

We have been enjoying an unusually warm and pleasant October and early November. However, it is evident that the weather will be changing soon and there are always a few things that will need to be done.

Along with closing off those outside vents, checking your furnace and picking up falling leaves, it’s time to get those flu shots. You may obtain flu shots from the following Metro Health Department locations.

Lentz Public Health Center
311 23rd Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
615-340-5616

East Public Health Center
1015 East Trinity Lane
Nashville, TN 37216
615-862-7916

Woodbine Public Health Center
224 Oriel Avenue
Nashville, TN 37210
615- 862-7940

You can also get flu shots at the clinics located in some of the Walgreens Stores located throughout the Nashville and surrounding areas. Of course, you should be able to get a flu shot from your personal doctor as well. Just remember, if you are one of the people who fall into one of the categories below you are in the “should get a flu shot” group.

Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
If You are Pregnant
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)