Skylights…  Some people love them, some hate them, especially if they leak.

So what are the downsides and upsides to adding a skylight to your home? Probably the best advice I could give you is to have an expert come and talk to you about installation. And, perhaps don’t settle for the typical skylight.

My very favorite is a tube light. They are also called tubular daylighting devices, sun pipes, sun scopes, or daylight pipes. There are various brand names such as SolarTubes and SolaTubes, etc.  I put 3 of these in my own house a few years ago while doing a major renovation – and I wish I had installed more.  I love the natural daylight that they bring into dark rooms.  Even at night, you get a small bit of light from moonlight or ambient light, so no tripping in the kitchen when you go for a glass of water.

See the difference between a room without the tube light and with, in these photos of a foyer.  They typically run between $500 to $1000 when professionally installed.  I discovered that the more you put in the less per unit they generally charge.
                          

Check out the difference below in this Kitchen and Family room area with automatic motorized skylights.  Not all skylights open but ones that do require an easy method of opening and closing.  Electric models have a remote control that opens the skylight at the touch of a button and have rain sensors that close it automatically if it starts raining. The manual ones generally have a handle for easy reach and/ or a longer rod for lights that are out of reach.  Today, some high-tech skylights have heat sensors that automatically open to exhaust hot air and close when things cool down. Some new technology allows homeowners to use a remote control to tint skylight glass from clear to dark without losing the view to the sky!

So, if you have a dark room and want it to be naturally light, consider adding a skylight or solar tube, just for you… OR if you are thinking of selling, make that room awesome with lovely light and buyers will love it.

For a complimentary consultation on how to get your home ready to sell for the best price possible without spending a fortune, just call Jan.  407-718-9644

As we are now in the exciting window of hurricane season, perhaps we should focus on making sure we have some working emergency lights for those times when the power goes out.  Hopefully this will not happen, but of course we should be prepared.

Some emergency lights can be really quite interesting and unique like this one…

           This is an inflatable solar lantern – built for adventure! Light, waterproof and bright, it collapses down to just 1 in.

Others can be hands free like this cool headgear light:       You can find these two devises at http://www.REI.com

And then there are exterior solar lights that make cooking your dinner on the gas grill a really fun experience when the power is on or out!  Check out the moose solar string lights and the bear lantern.  Both are solar.

Both these lights can be found at http://www.cabelas.com

Probably the very best emergency lights are the more traditional options.  You will likely use this classic Coleman camping lantern many times…   

And last but certainly not least, make sure to have a really good flashlight or two in a place you can get to easily in the dark (don’t keep it in the garage where you have to climb over a car or fall over garage “stuff” to get to it).  This flashlight is powered by a single AA battery so it is easy to keep at the ready – and ready to go.  It’s compact and lightweight with a maximum output of 130 lumens and can throw a beam up to 88m (288 ft.)  This can also be found at http://www.REI.com.

So this hurricane season, stay safe and stay WELL LIT !

For your guide in Real Estate, just call Jan Walker.  407-718-9644.  Let her 25 years of real estate experience light your way through your property sale or next purchase!

Often wonder why we look so much better in the soft light of the evening?  Perhaps when the bright sun retires and the cool glimmers of evening light take over for a few brief minutes, the inner soft light emanates from within us.   It is the same with a home.

We often take the best photos of homes in the soft twilight hours of the day.  A wonderful glow shines through the windows and the sky is a lovely shade of deep blue.

Imagine having friends over for a dinner party as the sun retires – sitting out on this perfect porch at 715 Via Bella, in Winter Park.  This amazing 4 bedroom home can be yours for $1,395,000

Take a notice tonight at twilight.  Step outside and see the beauty in the changing light… my favorite time of day!

Brilliant Light.  Sometimes it is about the light bulb in your head going on… that moment of “getting it” or understanding. 

One of the biggest challenges we have in real estate is staying on top of the changes in the laws governing real estate transactions, the contract forms we use and the changes in the financial industry as it relates to mortgages.  Sometimes it even takes me a bit to get It!   I can certainly understand how the general public out there is occasionally a bit in the dark and confused about what is happening in the real estate market.

If you want to see your real estate in a clearer (brighter or even billiant) light, just call me.  We can meet for coffee and discuss you situation to see what might be the best course to take, to get you in the LIGHT!

Keep those chandeliers on!

Jan