Cosy Homes Online

Highland Life

2010-03-10T10:34:54Z

As our recently completed croft style houses are named 'Property of the Month' by Highland Life Magazine

OFT calls for a shake-up

2010-02-18T16:30:03Z

Residential estate agents came under renewed pressure today to improve customer service as the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) called for a shake-up in how homes are sold, including updating legislation to allow new entrants to the market.

Published today, the OFT’s long-awaited study into home buying and selling found that the market remains dominated by traditional estate agents with weak competition between them on price.

As property prices rise during housing booms, so too do agents’ fees, said the OFT. The study said it believes that greater focus on online services could have a dramatic impact on transaction costs.

Donnys Got Talent!

2010-02-18T16:21:41Z

The 61st Bentley Air Scouts group, Bentley, Doncaster. - Reg number - 30823 - Reg charity number - 506994 are organising a charity fund-raising event called "Donny's Got Talent" based on the hit TV series Britain's got talent, with the same format of 4 judges and 4 different audition dates of which 15 acts will be chosen to perform on the live show date of 25th September 2010.

They are a self funding organisation who strive to make the lives of children and adults within communities that much better and are succeeding but need as much help as they can get to make a bigger and better difference to peoples lives.

www.cosyhomesonline.com is proud to be supporting them in this goal

Social Networking Prize Winners

2010-02-03T20:00:50Z

Congratulations to Belinda Castle on Facebook, and Sandra Murray on Twitter on their newly acquired Dremel 300 power tools! Many thanks to everyone who joined us this last month, and stay tuned for further prizes.

Why don't you let us know what you'd kind of prizes you'd like to see in the future by contact via either of the above social networking sites, or via our own site at http://www.cosyhomesonline.com/contact_us.php

Three prizes this week!

2010-01-25T21:05:41Z

Not only is this one of your last chances to win an iPod from our ever dwindling pile, but this is the last week we have our special social networking competition - we are offering one of our Fans on Facebook, AND one of our followers on Twitter the chance to win one of two Dremel 300 power tools.

Questions and Answers

2010-01-18T19:37:39Z

Q: How would I know when hangging a curtain rail if there were water pipes burried under the plaster. If there were and I was silly enough to drill through them what is the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to repair the damage. Is there such a thing as a plumbers plug or bung I could buy before I started drilling, or would the best thing be to turn of the stop cock just in case? - JJ

A: Generally water pipes don't run in the areas you'll be putting your screws in, but if you really are worried about hitting something, you can buy a cheap pipe/wire detector at your local DIY store. This will detect metal behind the plasterwork and warn you if you might be hitting anything dangerous. Turning off the water might not be much help - it might not be obvious you've drilled through a pipe until you turn the water back on!

Two more press clippings

2010-01-18T19:34:03Z

Click on the right to download a PDF of the press clipping.

Sylvia in the Press and Journal

2010-01-12T20:48:55Z

The Press and Journal features two pages on Sylvia and the latest project in the highlands, with some stunning photos of the properties.

Another chance to win

2010-01-05T15:49:11Z

Cosy Homes Online is offering two additional mystery prizes this month. To celebrate our debut on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, we are going to give away one prize to a random person who becomes a Fan of Cosy Homes Online on Facebook, and another to one of our Followers on Twitter. You can find handy little icons on the right hand menu of our site. Thanks for your support, and good luck!

Burst pipes cause winter chaos

2010-01-01T19:03:12Z

A burst pipe can cause serious damage to your home's structure and electrical wiring. Taking a few simple steps as you discover a burst pipe can minimize damage;

Turn off the water supply at the main stop tap.
This is usually under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters your home. Drain the system by turning on all your cold taps.
Be especially careful if water has been leaking through for some time and the ceilings are bulging as rooms may not be safe to enter as the ceiling may collapse. If you notice the leak quickly you can catch dripping water in buckets by punching a hole in the ceiling to let water out if it starts to bulge.
Turn off water heating systems
Switch off the central heating, immersion heater and any other water heating systems. If the central heating uses solid fuel, let this die out. Once water heating has shut down, turn on the hot taps to help drain the system.
Turn off the electrics
If water leaks near your electrics or electrical appliances, switch off the mains immediately. If it is wet, don't touch them!
Call a professional to repair the damage
Electrical wiring damaged by water can be very dangerous - you will need to call in a professional is this happens. For a fast, affordable fix, find an electrician and/or Plumber in the Trade directory.

6% House price rise defies gloom

2010-01-01T18:18:23Z

Figures released yesterday show prices have increased by around 6% over the last eight months. Despite market woes, the past decade was the strongest on record for prices according to Nationwide.

Ten year figures show values rose by 117% since the end of 1999 and, even with inflation taken into account, the average home increased in value by 68% compared with a 14% fall in the 1990s

Figures published by the Bank of England yesterday suggest the mortgage lending freeze is also beginning to thaw as lenders are offering more 80 and 90 per cent deals.

Welcome to 2010....

Questions & Answers

2009-12-15T12:41:33Z

Q: My cistern had been operating normally but suddenly the input flow became tiny and it now takes at least 20 minutes to refill. As a complete novice what sort of problem is it? Where do i start to try and put it right? Is it something for a non DIY man to take on? Many thanks Geoff

A: The first thing to check is any valve entering your cistern - make sure that this is fully open and hasnt accidentally closed up. Secondly you need to check your ballcock - this is some kind of floating mechanism inside the cistern either on an arm, or on modern toilets hugging the inlet valve. Make sure than this isn't stuck, see if moving it around changes. You may also want to check your inlet valve for obvious damage or blockage. Anything beyond that you probably want to get a plumber out.

Remember, Cosy Homes is here for you! If you have any DIY or home improvement questions you want answered, let us know.

Trade Secret Update : Repairing potholes on a drive

2010-03-08T18:08:37Z

Wear and tear, and weathering on a gravel drive can cause potholes to form easily. You can repair this simply by following the steps below. The same steps also apply to a monoblock or paved driveway; you just have to lift the stones first, then replace and level them afterwards.

Clear the top layer of gravel from around and inside the pothole and keep to one side.
Top off with sand or dirt, compacting frequently, until level is the same as the surrounding ground
Replace the gravel across the top, if required mix in some new gravel of a similar type and blend in with existing drive

Trade Secret Update : Cleaning salt stains

2010-03-08T17:56:22Z

During winter, grit or rock salt can stain the inside of cars and the carpet in your homes entrance.

First, vacuum any visible salt crystals, then gently scrub the surface with a hard, flat object like the back edge of a knife or spatula, and vacuum again.
Starting with small areas, apply a small amount of luke-warm water, and immediately dab dry with a cloth
Repeat as necessary. Several attempts may be required to completely remove the stain.

Trade Secret Update : Home made cloches

2010-03-08T17:50:33Z

A cloche is just what you need to protect your young plants from frost in the early spring. Although there are many commercial products out there, it's also very easy to make your own using common household items.

For a few, separated plants, a cut off plastic drinks bottle is ideal. Punch a few holes in the top for ventilation and twist it gently into the ground to root it in place
For larger or spreading plants, you can use the frame from a hanging basket, upturned and covered in polythene (even a plastic bag split down one side will work)
Untwisted wire coat-hangers can be used to make bespoke shaped frames and grow tunnels. Cover in polythene sheeting or thermal fleece, with the edges held down with stones or earth.
For larger shelters, you can use PVC piping as the framing material