WINTERIZE YOUR HOME
Yes, we realize many of you live in the Central Florida area, but many of our readers live in a northern state or a country where the weather gets nice and cold.
Here's how to stay warm this winter and save on heating and repair costs.
Outside:
· Clean the gutters so ice dams don't form and cause damage.
· Replace cracked caulk around roof vents and
around the chimney.
· Install a chimney cap to keep critters and objects from dropping in. A cap will keep rainwater from dripping down into the fireplace.
· Put door sweeps on those that don't connect with the threshold.
· Use caulk around windows and doors as needed or masonry sealer on brick.
· Rake away debris and weeds from the foundation and seal any cracks.
· Install a plastic cover on the crawlspace access door and seal some of the vents.
In the garage:
· Clear enough space to put your car inside on very cold nights.
· Check your snow-blower and generator to be sure that they run.
· Buy a new snow shovel if you need one and have a bag of ice-melt on hand.
In the crawlspace:
· Wrap exposed pipes with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation.
· If pipe freezing is a significant problem for you, wrap the pipes with electrical heating tape.
· Be sure it is activated in cold weather.
· Check heat ducts for air leaks, whether they are in the crawlspace, attic or basement, so all the heat goes through the vents.
· Fix any breaks or gaps with metal-backed tape.
In the attic:
· If you can see the ceiling joists, add insulation. Don't use paper-backed, which can cause moisture problems, say experts at MSN Real Estate.
In the house:
· Get the furnace checked and the central air conditioning unit winterized at the same time.
· Be sure the fireplace damper isn't open unless you make a fire.
· Install socket sealers over unused electrical outlets on outside walls, and reverse ceiling fans so they push warm air forward and force it to circulate.
TRADING UP, WHEN YOU'RE UPSIDE DOWN!
Low mortgage rates and low returns on other investments are prompting people to invest more in their homes.
In the past, financial advisors recommended that people devote less cash to homes and more to other investments.
With iffy returns from the stock market, they now say investing in their homes could be a better move.
Some homes in the United States are worth less than the owners paid for them. If they want to trade up to a better home, they feel trapped where they are. But some are not as trapped as they think.
Low mortgage interest rates and low home prices are presenting unusual opportunities in the housing market.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some underwater homeowners are selling their homes for less than they owe on them. They write a check for the difference. Doesn't sound smart?
Economists say it can be. They can now buy a bigger, better home for not much more money. The home they want is also bought for less than its actual value.
They are essentially trading up, but monthly payments are less because their new interest rate is lower. And they may have reduced the term to 15 years. Right now, the average 15-year rate is 4.17 percent, but some lenders are charging much less.
At the Mortgage Bankers Association, they say if people don't have anything else that is bringing a tremendous return, paying their houses off sooner than they need to is like buying themselves an annuity.
One real estate broker in Denver says about half of home sellers are paying $5,000 to $45,000 in cash to sell their homes. Some people are doing the same thing just to refinance.
Economists are saying trading up can be smart even if it means plunking down some cash. In cases where people live in less-desirable neighborhoods, they can find better homes in other areas that offer better appreciation potential for the future.
Low mortgage rates and low returns on other investments are prompting people to invest more in their homes.
In the past, financial advisors recommended that people devote less cash to homes and more to other investments.
With iffy returns from the stock market, they now say investing in their homes could be a better move.
Some homes in the United States are worth less than the owners paid for them. If they want to trade up to a better home, they feel trapped where they are. But some are not as trapped as they think.
Low mortgage interest rates and low home prices are presenting unusual opportunities in the housing market.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some underwater homeowners are selling their homes for less than they owe on them. They write a check for the difference. Doesn't sound smart?
Economists say it can be. They can now buy a bigger, better home for not much more money. The home they want is also bought for less than its actual value.
They are essentially trading up, but monthly payments are less because their new interest rate is lower. And they may have reduced the term to 15 years. Right now, the average 15-year rate is 4.17 percent, but some lenders are charging much less.
At the Mortgage Bankers Association, they say if people don't have anything else that is bringing a tremendous return, paying their houses off sooner than they need to is like buying themselves an annuity.
One real estate broker in Denver says about half of home sellers are paying $5,000 to $45,000 in cash to sell their homes. Some people are doing the same thing just to refinance.
Economists are saying trading up can be smart even if it means plunking down some cash. In cases where people live in less-desirable neighborhoods, they can find better homes in other areas that offer better appreciation potential for the future.
6 SIGNS THAT YOU'RE READY TO BUY A HOME
Figuring out whether you're ready to buy a house -- whether you're a renter or are aiming to move up or size down -- can be a daunting task. But there are signs that will indicate whether you're ready to take the buying plunge.
If you are thinking about buying, you're not alone. So are you ready to make the move? You might be if you:
2. Have the money for a down payment and closing costs. The down payment is a percentage of the value of the property. Freddie Mac says the percentage will be determined by the type of mortgage you select. Down payments usually range from 3 to 20 percent of the property value. Also, you may be required to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI or MI) if your down payment is less than 20 percent. Closing costs include points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs and items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other settlement costs. You can expect to pay between from 2 to 7 percent of the property value. Generally, buyers will receive an estimate of these costs from your lender after you apply for a mortgage.
3. Know how much you can afford. Freddie Mac says that as a general guide, your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to a percentage of your income, usually about a quarter of your gross monthly income. Also, your income, debt and credit history go into determining how much you can borrow. As a general rule, your debt -credit card bills, car loans, housing expenses, alimony and child support -- should not be more than about 30 to 40 percent of your gross income.
4. Know what additional expenses will come with owning a home. This includes homeowners insurance, utility bills, and maintenance costs -- roofing, plumbing, heating and cooling.
5. Have your credit in good shape and make sure your credit report is accurate. Potential lenders will view your credit history -- how much debt you've accrued, how many accounts you have open, whether your payments are made on time, etc. -- to determine whether they'll give you a loan. You should get a report from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
6. You haven't made any recent major purchases, particularly a vehicle. If you do, you may have a harder time getting a loan -- or it could potentially lower the amount you'll be approved for.
10 BEST & WORST HOME IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BUCK
Best Improvement: Clean Up
Cost: Negligible
Give your home a top-to-bottom cleaning or, better yet, hire a pro to do a deep clean. Do it even before you hiring a real estate agent. If you don't have a regular cleaner, hire one to keep the place tidy until your house is sold.
Good Improvement: Simple Repairs
Cost: Negligible
It is well worth the modest cost to fix broken outlets, tiles, light switches, door latches, folding doors and ceiling fans. Buyers view such flaws as signs of deeper problems--and may lower their bids accordingly.
Good Improvement: Store Your Clutter
Cost: $100 a month
A 10-foot-by-10-foot locker at Public Storage or one of its competitors is likely to cost you less than your phone and cable bills. Move out unneeded dishes, linens, personal items and furniture. Try to empty closets. Your house will appear bigger and more valuable.
Good Improvement: Paint Exterior and Interior
Cost: $100 to $1,000
If the paint on the front of your house is peeling, scrape it and repaint. Indoors, cover up any blemishes and repaint any rooms in loud colors that may be off-putting to others.
Good Improvement: Tidy the Yard
Cost: $100 to $300
No need to break the bank here. Mow the lawn, weed the flowerbeds and pull any dying bushes. Plant flowers in bare spots.
Good Improvement: Replace Hardware
Cost: $300
It's a mistake to replace the kitchen cabinets or closet doors. But you can convince buyers to pay a little more by installing new handles, knobs and drawer pulls where needed.
Good Improvement: Replace Ugly Appliance
Cost: $500 to $1000
A new stainless steel range will not prompt buyers to pay much more for your home. But a seriously bedraggled stove or refrigerator could scare them off. If you've got a junky-looking appliance, swap it out for a budget-minded replacement.
Good Improvement: Steel Entry Door
Cost: Around $1,170
A heavy entry door comes with an impressive return: You're likely to get back your investment plus a 29% gain, according to the National Association of Realtors remodeling 2009 report.
Good Improvement: Roofing Credit
Cost: $19,700
If your roof leaks, offer the buyer a discount. It's likely to cost you less than the difference between what it'll cost you to replace the roof before selling and the lesser amount you'll recoup afterward. Source: National Association of Realtors/Remodeling.
Bad Improvement: Family Room Addition
Cost: $82,800
If you're itching to add a family room, do it for your family. Do not do it to profit from selling your home; you're likely to be disappointed.
Source: National Association of Realtors/Remodeling.
10 REALLY EASY WAYS TO 'GO GREEN'
Going green isn't always easy. But our team has found a few ways to help the environment.
1. We try not to buy bottled water (that often). We refill them from filtered water from the fridge.
2. We adjusted our thermostat by just one degree. Imagine the difference if we all did that?
3. We recycle electronics. Don't throw a cell phone or computer. Sell them on Craigslist or donate them.
4. We are trying to wash as many of our clothes in cold water. 85% of energy is used in heating the water.
How many of these ideas will you implement today?
If you a have a good 'Go Green' idea, share with us, so we can share with others.
Beautiful bamboo offers earth-friendly choice
Bamboo has a lot going for it in the green world. It can be used in products such as flooring, clothing and paper and it can help preserve hardwood forests.
With high sustainability and environmentally sound origins, bamboo floor coverings have become the ideal choice for those looking to adorn their homes with the beauty of a hardwood flooring while considering environmental issues. They are increasingly choosing a bamboo floor in place of traditional hardwood.
Floor retailers have been quick to catch on to the consumer lean towards greener products. Many now offer high-quality bamboo floors in various styles and colors. It's easy to color coordinate the floor with the color scheme in your home or office.
Bamboo is also used to make dishes, sheets, towels, rugs, baskets, window shades and bath mats.
One of its greatest strengths is that it is a renewable resource. Plants can produce several crops a year. They grow rapidly in a wide range of climates and are considered ecofriendly because they are naturally pest resistant. They don't require the use of pesticides. They require little water and can grow as much as a foot in one day.
Bamboo is often blended with organic cotton to make underwear, T-shirts and other articles of clothing. Fabrics made with it are said to have a silky texture and are biodegradable.
Another factor in bamboo’s favor is its contribution to reducing global warming. Bamboo’s canopy releases 35 percent more oxygen than a comparable group of hardwood trees.
There are drawbacks to the use of bamboo. For one thing, while easy to grow, it is nearly impossible to stop. Some say nothing short of a herd of hungry pandas will keep it out of your neighbor's yard.
1. We try not to buy bottled water (that often). We refill them from filtered water from the fridge.
2. We adjusted our thermostat by just one degree. Imagine the difference if we all did that?
3. We recycle electronics. Don't throw a cell phone or computer. Sell them on Craigslist or donate them.
4. We are trying to wash as many of our clothes in cold water. 85% of energy is used in heating the water.
5. Once a month, buy food from a local farmer/local farmers market. It not only supports a neighbor, but the food didnt have to be transported 1000 miles to get to your plate.
6. Can you get one more week out of that razor before throwing it away?
7. We are now turning off the water when we brush our teeth. How easy was that? The average family would save 8 gallons a day!
8. Greatly reduct your paper towels consumpton, use a rag or an old T-shirt. (Then clean it in cold water!)
9. Take an extra moment and carry that item that can be recycled to your garage and dont just throw it in the trash in your kitchen.
6. Can you get one more week out of that razor before throwing it away?
7. We are now turning off the water when we brush our teeth. How easy was that? The average family would save 8 gallons a day!
8. Greatly reduct your paper towels consumpton, use a rag or an old T-shirt. (Then clean it in cold water!)
9. Take an extra moment and carry that item that can be recycled to your garage and dont just throw it in the trash in your kitchen.
10. You really want to make a difference in 'Going Green', encourage your children to take part. Starting these habits today will have a lasting effect on the environment.
How many of these ideas will you implement today?
If you a have a good 'Go Green' idea, share with us, so we can share with others.
Beautiful bamboo offers earth-friendly choice
In this age of green shopping, more consumers are looking for products that preserve the earth's resources instead of contributing to depletion or pollution.
Bamboo has a lot going for it in the green world. It can be used in products such as flooring, clothing and paper and it can help preserve hardwood forests.With high sustainability and environmentally sound origins, bamboo floor coverings have become the ideal choice for those looking to adorn their homes with the beauty of a hardwood flooring while considering environmental issues. They are increasingly choosing a bamboo floor in place of traditional hardwood.
Floor retailers have been quick to catch on to the consumer lean towards greener products. Many now offer high-quality bamboo floors in various styles and colors. It's easy to color coordinate the floor with the color scheme in your home or office.
Bamboo is also used to make dishes, sheets, towels, rugs, baskets, window shades and bath mats.
One of its greatest strengths is that it is a renewable resource. Plants can produce several crops a year. They grow rapidly in a wide range of climates and are considered ecofriendly because they are naturally pest resistant. They don't require the use of pesticides. They require little water and can grow as much as a foot in one day.
Bamboo is often blended with organic cotton to make underwear, T-shirts and other articles of clothing. Fabrics made with it are said to have a silky texture and are biodegradable.
Another factor in bamboo’s favor is its contribution to reducing global warming. Bamboo’s canopy releases 35 percent more oxygen than a comparable group of hardwood trees.
There are drawbacks to the use of bamboo. For one thing, while easy to grow, it is nearly impossible to stop. Some say nothing short of a herd of hungry pandas will keep it out of your neighbor's yard.