FALL 08 pg 11 - 25

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILYSHOULD COME FIRST

Financial Professionals Providing: • Life Insurance• Retirement Planning • Personal & Business Strategies • Mutual Funds• Asset Allocations• Annuities

7 Oglethorpe BoulevardSavannah, Georgia 31406

912.921.1370

www.AXAonline.com

Hugh Hale, IIIFinancial Advisor

[email protected]

Be Life Confident

Hugh F. Hale, III offers securities and investment advisory services through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC, and offersannuity and insurance products through AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries. Sterling Group is a division of AXA Advisors, LLC. Hugh F. Hale, III is licensedto sale insurance in the following states: GA, DC, FL, SC, KS, KY, MI, MS, NC, TX, UT, VA, is registered to offer securities in the following states: FL, GA, andis registered to offer investment advisory services in the following states: GA.

MADE IN THE SHADERETRACTABLE AWNINGS

With fuel prices on the rise, many families are saving money by spending time in theirown backyards instead of traveling out of town for vacations.

A retractable awning allows homeowners to expand their living space to the outdoorswhile providing comfortable shelter from the sun. It is a self-supporting shading system,made of waterproof material, supported by spring loaded arms to keep the cover extendedover the deck or patio.

A retractable awning extends the living area to the outdoors, but it can also add comfortto indoor spaces. On hot, sunny days it can shade the window and save on indoor ener-gy costs. An awning can cut glare by 90 percent and exterior heat by 70 percent. Thatmeans that they bring down inside temperatures by 8 to 15 degrees and reduce air condi-tioning costs by as much as 25 percent.

Homeowners can enjoy backyard vacations by taking advantage of the versatility affordedby an outdoor awning. Some suggestions:

• Add a freestanding hot tub. Retract the awning for a moonlight dip or extend it for ashaded afternoon spa with friends and family.

• Extend the awning over a patio to stay out of the hot sun while dining.

• Surround your patio or deck with flowers that attract birds and butterflies. Sip a cooldrink in the shade and enjoy the wildlife.

For more information contact Coastal Canvas at 912.236.2416, 73 Ross Road, Savannah,GA, www.coastalcanvas.net.

10 • Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide

Custom Awnings � Motorized Screens � Storm Protection � Exterior Shutters

W W W . C O A S T A L C A N V A S . N E T 7 3 R O S S R O A D , S A V A N N A H , G E O R G I A

Motorized retractable awnings from Coastal Canvasare a convenient, maintenance-free way to increase yourliving space by providing shade and comfort on your

deck or patio.

Instant UV protection � Reduced energy costs� Touch-of-a-button operation � Self storing� Custom-made � Professionally installed

Call for a complimentary consultationor visit our showroom.

912.236.2416 Solutions. Not just sales.

Extended Retracted

EnjoyYour Deck or PatioMore!


roughton Street is now sweeter than ever before. Anexciting and tasty “flavor” has come to spice up thedowntown Savannah scene.

The Savannah Bee Company, a well known producer ofupscale, gourmet honey products, just opened its storefrontdoors at 104 W. Broughton St. The Savannah Bee CompanyHoney House is a retail experience built on education andenlightenment into the fascinating and enlightening world ofhoney and the honeybee. A sure destination for all ages, hereare a few of the countless gems that are located in the “bee-hive”:

HONEY TASTINGS • Your honey guide will take youthrough the honey variatals, their textures, levels of sweetness,background notes, and suggested food pairings.

SAVANNAH BEE COMPANY BODY CARE • Natural andorganic hive inspired body care with hydrating honey, protect-ing beeswax, and extraordinary royal jelly.

HONEY HOUSE CAFÉ • A unique offering of honey treats:refreshing ‘tupelo/lime-ade’, biscuits & honeycomb butter,honey lattes, and honeycomb platters to order, perfect for anyevent.

CHILDREN’S BEE SKEP • The interactive learning hivefilled with books, toys, and new and exciting facts about honeyand the bee. Honey House Theater- Daily viewings of some ofthe best and most informative documentaries highlighting theimportance and often the plight of the honeybee in our world.

As you can see, there are various reasons to meander down tothe “Honey House” to see what everyone is “buzzing” about. Ifyou would like to take a look at the products they have tooffer, you can always order directly from their website atwww.savannahbee.com or reach them via phone at912.233.7873.

Got Honey?

B

Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide • 13

See Jane is a modern apothecary specializing in uniqueand hard-to-find luxury skincare, cosmetics, hair care,fragrance, home accents, and much, much more. A widevariety of everyday products from deodorant and tooth-paste to pet care and vitamin supplements can be foundin this exceptionally designed one-stop destination.They are particularly proud of their long list of natural andorganic products as they prefer their store to be known as“eco-fabulous”.

Let one of their skilled make-up artists show you how to put ona fabulous face. All demonstrations are complimentary with anypurchase or you can book a one-hour make-up lesson.

Celebrate a birthday, girl’s night out, bridal shower, engagementparty, or any special occasion with See Jane. Go see them fortwo hours of “pure beauty” which will include make-up andskincare advice, make-up application lessons, skin analysis, andmore. Bring your make-up bags along with you and allow themto give you their signature “Make-up Bag Makeover”. They willtell you what to keep, what to toss, and what you need to add toyour collection.

Professional make-up artists are on hand to teach you everythingyou want to know. Let Shelley Smith and her crew take care ofall of the details from a signature cocktail to an enticing selec-tion of appetizers or desserts for just forty dollars a person.Starting in November, The Brow Bar will be opened for happy

AmazingApothecaryNow Open In Drayton

TowersBy Shelley Smith, See Jane


hour on Tuesdays thruFridays from 4:00-7:00p.m. There is noappointment necessary,just stop in and let theexperts get your brows inshape.

For more informationcontact Shelley Smithat 912.234.1080.

.,Types of Products We Carry

Makeup • Hair Care • Toothpaste • DeodorantHair Brushes • Mother and Baby Products • Sunscreen

Pet Products • Towels and Wash ClothsBath and Body Products • Fragrances • Home Fragrances

Vitamin Supplements • Skin Care • Men’s Shaving ProductsCosmetic Bags • Reusable Shopping Totes

Brands We CarryAbahna • Alison Raffaele • Aquis • Babybearshop • Baggu

Beth Terry Creative Universe • Blow Styling Salon NYBreath Palette • Cellex-C • Coola

Crazylibellule & The Poppies • Duchess MardenFreeze 24/7 • FUR by J.Mikel • Hakansson • Ineke

Jill Bliss for Mirror Girl • Juara • Julie Hewett Los AngelesLittle Twig • Malie Kauai • Malin + Goetz, Me! Bath

Paddywax • Perfumers Palette • Rescue Beauty Lounge Ritual • Sara Happ • Skeem • Sprayology

Stem Organics • Stephanie Johnson • theBalmThree Custom Color Specialists NY

AND A LOT MORE LINES ON THE WAY.

See Jane is located in the Drayton Towers at the corner ofDrayton and Liberty Street in beautiful downtown

Savannah. You can reach them via phone at 912.234.1080.

.,


Enjoy Your Fireplace SafelyBy Erik Bloomquist

Bloomquist Chimney Services

eople rarely use a fireplace as a primary source of heat intheir homes. But who doesn’t enjoy the look, smell and feelof a fire in the fireplace, especially on a cool winter night.

Of all the home fires reported in this country, home heatingsources are the number one cause. While home fireplaces are notnew technology, the codes concerning proper installation andupkeep for optimal safely are relatively new. Something as com-monplace as a clay flu liner has been in use less than 100 years. Ifyour home was built prior to World War II, it probably doesn’thave any liner and may be at risk for a major house fire if it is beingused to burn wood.

The newest reports from the NFPA (National Fire ProtectionAgency) were recently released for the year of 2005. Heating equip-ment was involved in an estimated 62,200 reported home structurefires, 670 deaths, 1,550 injuries, and $909 million in propertydamage. Also according to the Consumer Products SafetyCommission, 16,700 Dryer Vent Fires occur each year. In all ofthese fires, the largest percentage involved chimney and chimneyconnectors at 36%. The main reason for the fires was lack of main-tenance at 64%. The balance of fires were blamed on installation,construction or design, and manufacturing deficiencies. Olderchimneys were not built to current safety code standards. Even with

a newer chimney that was installed correctly, it must be properlymaintained to remain safe. It is recommended that you have yourchimney inspected at least once a year by a certified sweep(National Association of Chimney Sweeps) to check for anychanges or damage. The sweep will recommend any maintenancethat may be needed.

The type of fireplace, how often it is used, and the material beingburned will determine the frequency of cleaning required. There

A smoke chamber and new stainless steel flue.

P


are two types of chimneys.Masonry chimneys built of brickare constructed on site by a mason,are very heavy, and require a strongfoundation. The other is a pre-fab-ricated chimney, made in a factoryand assembled on site. The firebox of a pre-fabricated chimney isusually made of metal panels madeto look like brick, and the flue isnormally a double lined roundmetal pipe. The new pre-fabricat-ed chimneys are UL listed to havea “Zero Clearance” to com-bustibles. This means that themanufacturer’s product has passeda full day of fire tests conducted bythe Underwriters Laboratory (UL).This test subjects the system toextreme temperatures, and if at anypoint during the 12 hour test any part of it fails, the manufacturermust redesign their product to meet test requirements.

A chimney flue should be in direct proportion to the size of thefirebox opening. The shape of the flu also affects this ratio. Ahome owner with a chimney should be aware of a few key compo-nents of their chimney system. The firebox in a masonry chimney

should be made of firebrick, which is usually tanin color, and joined withrefractory mortar. The backwall of many fireboxes slopeinward. This slope formswhat is known as the smokeshelf. A smoke shelf is notnecessary for the chimney towork properly, and manyhave been built withoutone. The part of the fireboxwhere you build the fire, orwhere your logs sit, is calledthe inner hearth. In front isthe outer hearth. In somefireplaces under the innerhearth is an ash dump. If

your chimney has one and it is used, it is important to clean itoften. There should be a clean out door in the back of the chim-ney that will state that nothing combustible should be stored with-in 18 inches of the door.

Moving up, just above the firebox is thesmoke chamber. If you have a throatdamper, it will be located at the bottomof the smoke chamber. It is typicallypyramid in shape and takes the smokefrom the firebox up into the flu. This isone of the more critical areas from a safe-ty standpoint, particularly in older chim-neys. Masons build the “pyramid” shapeby a technique called corbelling. Thiscreates a harsh stair-step surface thatmakes the smoke roll up slowly instead ofgliding up as it does the walls of the fire-box or the flu. The longer it takes for thesmoke to escape, the more likely therewill be a build up of creosote.

The next part of the chimney is the flu.All new homes have some kind of liner inthe flu. The reason is that mortar does

not last forever. As mortar breaks down over time, it leaves holesfor heat and gases to escape back into the home, which could causeadjacent combustible material to catch fire. While clay liners areacceptable in newer buildings, they are not without fault. These lin-ers are made of terracotta, similar to a flower pot material. They arefine under most conditions, but will break if there is a rapid changein temperature. If the chimney is on an exterior wall of the houseand it is very cold outside, a large hot fire may cause the liner tocrack. Over time, that crack will expand. Always pre-warm the flue

with a small fire first.

At the top of the chimney is the crown. This is a layer of mortarthat is designed to help keep moisture away from the inner parts ofthe chimney. It should be poured at a slight angle so rain waterruns off, and it should have a drip edge so run off water does not


run back onto the chimney but drips off onto the roof. The bestway to protect your chimney from water damage is with a chimneycap. When water mixes with creosote an acidic slurry is createdwhich breaks mortar down quickly. Chimney caps also keep outbirds and other chimney dwelling critters. A pre-fabricated chim-ney won’t have a crown. There will usually be a round metal cap tohelp keep out rain and vermin.

After maintenance of a chimney, the second critical concern for ahomeowner is choice of fuel. Well seasoned, dry wood is best.Wood always has some water in it, and before wood can burn effi-ciently, the water must evaporate. Splitting wood to expose more ofit to the air will speed this process. Proper wood storage is alsoimportant. Always keep it a couple inches off the ground so it willremain dry, covered with a loose tarp to keep the rain out but allowair to filter through. Never burn coated paper, such a wrappingpaper, pressure treated lumber, Christmas trees, or large amounts ofcardboard and other combustible trash, as toxins can be releasedinto the air, and creosote will build up quickly .

Gas logs are a popular alternative to wood. They have a muchlower risk of causing home fires, but are not risk free. The chimneyneeds to be inspected frequently, as chimney damage will still causecarbon monoxide to be released back into the home. There are two

types of gas appliances. Vented and vent free. Vented appliances aremore popular as the flame has a more realistic appearance. It doesnot, however, consume 100% of the gas, and the unconsumed gascan be hazardous if not vented properly. Vent free appliances con-sume a higher percentage of fuel and do not require a chimney ventfor operation. In chimneys with a damper, only vent free logsshould be installed, as carbon monoxide can build up undetected ifthe damper is closed and the fireplace is in use.

For most people, their home is their most valued and largestinvestment. Setting fuel on fire inside of the home is a clearincongruity with very serious risks. Always engage an experiencedprofessional to help maintain your chimney. Follow the commonsense guidelines outlined above so that you can continue to enjoythe care-giving warmth and comfort your fireplace was meant toprovide.

For more information contact Bloomquist Chimney Services, ChimneySpecialist/Certified Chimney Sweep at 912.525.7782.

DISCOVERwhy 15 million homeowners trust

their homes to State Farm

Like a good neighbor State Farm is there.®

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Declan Finnerty, Agent513 E. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite LSavannah, GA 31401Located in Beautiful Downtown Savannah912.234.5390www.declanfinnerty.com

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company -Bloomington, IL • State Farm Florida Insurance Company - Winter Haven, FL • StateFarm Lloyds - Dallas, TX

WINE IS THE PERFECT GIFTFOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

Give wine this year from a local winery,Shannon Vineyards. Each bottle a work of art from the inside out.

Opening October 28thWine Tasting Daily

Available for Special Events

www.ShannonVineyards.com

912.857.3076


Surviving Today’s Mortgage MessThere is a place to go when you think that everything is a lit-tle too nebulous. Having the light turned on can be a nicechange in today’s housing market, not to mention, today’smortgage mess. Just as the wheel of life chugs along, so doesthe ever-changing world of realty. Having a person with thewisdom and the facilities to overcome the current menagerieof mortgage mayhem that lay before us is a rare, but wel-comed, treat. We asked Lin Walsh of Accumortgage; a sea-soned, trusted mortgage professional with over 27 years ofexperience in the mortgage business. We felt she could help alot of people navigate you through these tumultuous times.

We sat down and asked Linn some questions from which wefelt a lot of people could not only benefit from, but whowould actually want to know.

Q: What is the number one thing I must do to help mewith my mortgage?

Linn: Definitely know your credit score. Review your creditscore before you apply. Your credit rating has a major impacton how your lender will price your mortgage, whether it isfor purchase or refinance. Depending on your score youcould be facing up to a three-percent difference in financingfor your loan. Although you can have the mortgage changeddown the line, starting out on the right foot is wiser thenpaying too much for the first three, five or even ten years.

Q: Am I ready to be a homeowner?

Linn: The first thing to remember when getting ready to buya home is that there really is no magical time that is right foreveryone. The most important task for you is to make a com-plete budget outline. This will help you to decide how muchyou can afford and still stay clear of falling into unwanteddebt. Things to carefully consider would be: the monthlycost of food, utilities (adjust for difference in size and effi-ciency of said new home), clothing, vacation needs, savingsand transportation. Remember, this is a very big deal! Youneed to be aware of all these financial aspects, and never for-get that there is a definite emotional impact coming as well.So listen to your heart, and take an honest look at yourlifestyle while assessing affordability. And never forget, invest-ing in a home creates wonderful tax advantages we call…write-offs.

Q: How do I decide on the right company to finance myhome?

Linn: In order to find the right mortgage professional toassist you while making a decision to move forward with thepurchase or refinance of a mortgage, it is prudent to considermany variables. There are a lot of mortgage companies outthere and all of them want your business. To be just anothermortgage company in today’s current climate just isn’t good


enough. Something to look for in your lender would beintegrity, their track record, referrals, and just plain honesty.Ask yourself one simple question. Do you think that you cantrust them? What’s your gut feeling?

You should expect personalized one-on-one assistance alongwith proper guidance. Try to find a company that has local,regional, and national experience, especially in your special-ized marketplace. Whether you are borrowing $50,000 or inexcess of $10,000,000, whoever you choose should be ableprovide you with the right loan solution. An ethical mort-gage professional should have your financial objectives at thetop of their priorities.

Q: Are there any attractive mortgage loans still availablethat will help with the purchase or refinance of a home?

Linn: Absolutely! There are still several loans that are avail-able right now, and surely at least one of them will answeryour financial needs and requirements. Remember, this is stillstatistically a great time in regards to loan percentages to finda low, affordable loan solution. Here are a few of the exam-ples that come to mind.

1: Guaranteed Housing Loans. Simply put, this is a 100%financing option that’s available with no cash reservesrequired. The seller can pay all closing costs. No MI (mort-gage insurance) regardless of the LTV (loan to value). Thereis no requirement to the amount of the loan if you qualify

for the government backed funding. Of course there aresome restrictions that apply and a seasoned loan officershould bring all of these considerations to your attentionmaking your decision a knowledgeable and smart one.

2: VA Loans. These are available to: active duty, disabled vet-erans, reservists and retired military. 100% financing is avail-able. There are excellent interest rates available and the selleris required to cover a large percentage of the closing costs.Adjustable rate mortgages are available if you anticipate athree to five year move.

3: FHA Loan. This loan option requires no more than a 3%down payment with interest rates that are extremely low.This is especially attractive now considering our current mar-ket conditions. And it good to know that the seller can payup to 6% of closing costs.

4: Reverse Mortgages. This is an option only if you have equi-ty in your home. You can receive a lump sum payout or electmonthly stipends. The good news is that you will not loseyour home to the federal government upon evacuation of theproperty. There are some risks inherent to reverse mortgagetransactions relative to the loss of Medicaid eligibility. Be surethat if you are seriously considering a reverse mortgage loan,choose a seasoned mortgage professional that is competent andhas your personal and financial best interests in mind. This loanis not the most sought-after, normal one, and unequivocallyrequires a complete understanding of how it works, why it


would be the most beneficial for your chosen loans needs, andspecifically, how a reverse mortgage impacts the equity in yourhome.

5: Conventional Loan. The conventional loan is still aliveand well. One question to inquire about of your loan pro-fessional is the forty-year fixed mortgage rate. Also, there isa ten-year interest loan that adjusts at the end of tenth yearto a twenty-year fixed rate. The same interest rate appliesfor the lifetime of the loan. Many people opt for this typeof loan as it is the most simple to understand, and can, inmany cases, be the best method to pay off your home.

6: ARM. Regardless of publicity to heighten freight andfear, an ARM (Adjustable-rate-mortgage) will not breakyour leg or arm! Many adjustable rate products are exactlywhat some homeowners and buyers need for perfect finan-cial positioning. When thinking about whether or not anARM is the right fit for you, trust a tried-and-trustedmortgage professional that will have not only the answers,but provide others questions you may not have thoughtabout. As my Daddy used to tell me… When the shoe fits,wear it. Just make sure that it’s the right brand.

7: Line of Credit. Lines of credit and second mortgageloans are usually the same product. Most of the consumersdon’t realize this at the origination of these loan products.This can be a perfect solution when applied to each bor-rows specific needs. However, there is a warning that youneed to know about: A large percentage of the time, theseloan rates fluctuate, which can result in much higher pay-ments at inappropriate times. For example, right nowcould be the perfect time to refinance an existing LOC(line-of-credit)/2nd mortgage into a long-term mortgagefinancial plan.

I hope these questions have enlightened some of you outthere when it comes to purchasing, refinancing, or who arejust plain curious about wanting to know more regardingtoday’s new mortgage landscape. If I can be of any furtherhelp, please feel free to call me at 912.786.9926. I’m thePresident of Accumortgage on Tybee Island, and after doingthis for over twenty years, I guess you could say I’ve learned athing or two! So to all of my wonderful Savannians outthere, happy hunting and may your current home or yourfuture one, be sweet.

Documents

FALL 08 pg 11 - 25