Polaris Property Management Newsletter – November 2022

We Just Want To Say Thank You

Thank you for letting us into your mailbox to share ideas and tips to maximize your experience as a landlord or REALTOR®.

Q4 – 4th Quarter – The Final Stretch – Fall!

Whatever you call it, it is time to bring you a round up of the latest news, ideas and tips to maximize your experience as a landlord or REALTOR®.

How To Be Thankful Every Day

Studies from Harvard Health Publishing have shown that being thankful can help peoplefeel more positive, relish good experiences, improve their health and build strong relationships with others.

Each holiday season comes with high expectations for a cozy and festive time of year. However, for many this time of year is tinged with sadness, anxiety, or depression. Certainly, major depression or a severe anxiety disorder benefits most from professional help. 

or concernsBut what about those who just feel lost or overwhelmed or down at this time of year? Research (and common sense) suggests that one aspect of the Thanksgiving season can actually lift the spirits, and it’s built right into the holiday — being grateful.

The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness (depending on the context). In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

It’s no secret that our children demonstrate a more positive attitude when practicing thankfulness with their teachers. That’s why, we put together these 5 tips on how to stay grateful on a regular basis:

Appreciate the little things in life:

Your life is already filled with friends and family who love and care about you. Forget about the material things you don’t have and instead appreciate every single relationship you have and each positive interactive you encounter each day. It doesn’t matter how big or small these things are.

Keep a gratitude journal:

Jot down all your positive thoughts. Take 5 minutes every night to think about one thing you are thankful for and write it in your gratitude journal. At the end of the week you’ll realize that the positives outweigh any negatives.

Say ‘Thank you’:

Sometimes we forget to be thankful for the people that are the closest to us. We assume they already know how much we appreciate them. Tell you dad, mom or siblings how thankful you are for them to show them your gratitude.

Create a workout routine:

Did you know that regular exercise can help clear your mind and reduce stress? That’s right! Working out not only helps improve your physical health, but will also support your mental wellbeing. Add exercising to your weekly routine and see for yourself!

Volunteer with a local community partner:

We know it can be difficult to volunteer for the causes your care about — especially during these unprecedented times when people are concerned about health, finances and safety, but don’t let that prevent you from doing something AMAZING for your community. Giving your time to others can improve your mental and physical health. Here are just a few ways to help kids and families all over the world: deliver meals to local kids and families in need, volunteer or donate to one of the local shelters or organizations that are making an impact locally, or consider donating to your local church, parish, synagogue or mosque to help them as they reach out into our communities.

At Polaris Property Management we believe you must take control of your attitude and actions.  If you have questions concerning your year-end tax planning, the experts at Polaris Property Management will be pleased to help.

Call our experts at 317-870-3249 or e-mail at Dan@PolarisMange.com.

Enjoy the Holidays at Home

9 Things to Do Around the House – Just for Fun

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

How to Protect Pipes from Freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

How to Protect Pipes from Freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold-water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Polaris Property Management Can Help

At Polaris Property Management we can help you with your Rental Maintenance and Repairs, as well as the financial aspects of Property rental and ownership.  Contact us today for more information at: (317) 707-9743