Apr 16, 2012
Homeowners insurance is a necessary expense but there are some ways you may be able to reduce your costs. Below is a helpful list of eight factors that could help you save money. You’ll have to consult with your insurance broker for specific details but these tips should give you some areas to consider:
- New Home: You may be eligible for a discount based on the age of your home.
- Companion Policy: Some insurers give discounts to customers who hold multiple policies with their company.
- Protective Device: A fire or burglar alarm or sprinkler system may make you eligible for certain discounts. Be sure to check with your insurance broker before installing an expensive multi-function system.
- Mature Homeowner: Usually available to retirees over the age of 55.
- Secured Community: Living in a fully-secured community may also make you eligible for a discount.
- Home Improvements: Improvements such as upgrading plumbing or roofing may result in a reduced homeowners insurance premium.
- Lifestyle: Specifically, because of the damage caused by cigarette ignited fires, insurance companies will reward non-smokers.
- Loyalty: If you’ve been with the same insurer several years in a row, you may be eligible for this discount.
Take another look at your homeowners insurance and see if any of these above items apply. It may be a great way for you to save some money!
Realtor.com
Mar 21, 2012
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released the February edition of the Obama Administration Housing Scorecard. The latest data shows that the housing market is slowly getting stronger. The scorecard also highlights a situation that Realtor.com is showing as well, that the inventory is declining in some markets with fewer new and existing homes listed. Home prices were down for the fourth month in a row.
According to the scorecard, at the current rate, it would take 6.1 months to turn over the supply of existing homes currently on the market and 5.6 months to turn over the stock of new homes. This is the lowest months’ supply since 2006. Existing home sales also continued to improve, reaching their highest pace since May 2010. In a press release HUD Assistant Secretary Raphael Bostic pointed out that one in five Americans still owes more than what their home is worth and said that this is “a clear sign that we are not yet out of the woods.”
The Administration also released the “Making Home Affordable Program Performance Report”. For the Program to date, homeowners in permanent modifications have saved an estimated $11 billion in monthly mortgage payments. The report states that 85% of eligible homeowners entering a HAMP trial modification since June 1, 2010 have received a permanent modification, with an average trial period of 3.5 months. Since the beginning of this program, the Treasury has required loan servicers to improve their processes. Servicer Assessments rate the performance on key metrics such as identifying and contacting homeowners; homeowner evaluation and assistance; and program reporting and governance. For the fourth quarter of 2011, a total of nine servicers were found to need moderator minor improvement with respect to the specific metrics tested but no servicer was found to be in need of substantial improvement this quarter. The standards established by this program were also a guide for the $25 billion settlement announced in February.
The full Housing Scorecard is available online at www.hud.gov/scorecard.
Realtor.com
Nov 14, 2011
The days are getting shorter, but that’s no excuse to let important home projects fall by the wayside. Fall is the perfect time to complete home-related projects. The mild, pleasant temperatures reduce the physical stress of working outdoors, and it is the last chance for many to make needed repairs before inclement weather arrives. Knock these projects off the to-do list this month, and you’ll be able to give thanks knowing your home is ready for whatever lies ahead.
Keep Gutters Clean
The leaves, pine needles and other debris piling up in the gutters have to go. Gutters are highly ineffective when clogged with debris from nearby trees. These obstructions cause gutters to collect and hold water and prevent them from funneling moisture away from the home. Clogged gutters should not be ignored because they can damage fascia boards, cause mold growth and create foundation issues.
Winterize Irrigation Systems
Irrigation systems are in serious danger if not drained properly. Water left in the lines will expand as it freezes and can cause the pipes to burst. To ensure all water is cleared from the pipes, use an air compressor to force water out of the system. This process, known as “blowing out,” should be done by a professional. The amount of pressure needed to blow out the water will vary from one system to the next, and if not done correctly, it can cause considerable damage to the pipes and other components.
Clean The Chimney
Floors aren’t the only things that need to be swept from time to time. Chimneys also need a good cleaning. Over time, a combustible material called creosote can build up inside the chimney. If this catches fire, it can cause major damage to the home and result in serious injuries or even death. Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned by a professional at least once a year to ensure they are free of creosote and are ready for use.
Check The Roof
Roofs will last a long time, but they will not last forever. Eventually, the roof’s shingles will begin to wear, causing them to curl, chip or go missing. All are very bad signs and should be repaired immediately. Damaged roofs can allow rain or melting snow to infiltrate the house, which can cause thousands of dollars of damage. Use binoculars to visually scan the roof from the ground. Also, check the gutters and downspouts for roofing granules. Finding an abundance of granules is a sign the roof will need to be replaced.
Get Snow-Removal Tools Ready
Snow-removal tools will not be doing anyone any good if they are buried in the corner of the garage when the frozen stuff starts to fall. Get ahead of the game, and pull out all snow-related gear so it can be easily accessed and properly inventoried. Salt and sand should be well stocked and stored off the ground in a dry location. Snow blowers should have their oil and spark plugs changed, and the engine should fire up easily and run smoothly. Remember, last year’s mega snow in Hampton Roads started falling Christmas night. So, if you’re short on supplies or any equipment needs repairs, take care of it now.
Sep 21, 2011
Plant a Tree
Consider planting a tree this fall. It’s an act of hope – a long—term investment in beauty and the environment. In most regions, fall is the perfect time to plant because moisture levels and soil temperatures provide optimal conditions for roots to grow deeply and establish a healthy foundation before the first winter freeze. By the time leaves begin to sprout and the world begins to green up, the tree will have a jump start on spring!
Here’s How
- Select a tree that fits your yard as well as your needs. Consider its mature size, the shade it might cast on existing flowerbeds and any nearby power lines or paved areas its branches and roots may disturb. Before digging, be sure to contact your local utility company to mark gas lines, water pipes or underground cables.
- Dig a hole as deep as the tree’s root ball and twice as wide. Try excavating soil onto a tarp to protect your lawn throughout the planting process.
- Mix organic filler into heavy clay or sandy soil, replacing up to one-half the volume of the excavated soil. Slice roots by scoring the sides of the root ball with a shovel, which will encourage new roots to grow.
- Place your tree in the hole, replace some of the soil, and straighten the tree. Ensure that the trunk flare (where the first roots spread out from the base of the tree) is level with the soil line. Fill the hole, keeping the flare exposed. Add a ring of mounded soil 12 to 18 inches out from the trunk, creating a moat so water can soak into the roots.
- Mulch with shredded bark, pine straw or some other organic matter, beginning 3-5 inches away from the trunk. Water weekly during the first growing season.
Lowe’s Creative Ideas magazine
Sep 20, 2011
Moisture can be one of the most destructive forces, causing damage that could lead to expensive repairs. When warm air from the tropics encounters a cold front, the results are often thunderstorms. When warm moist air from indoors makes its way into cooler walls and attic spaces, the result is condensation which leads to mold, rot and rust. And there is no time when this is more prevalent than early spring. While everyone talks about the weather and can do nothing about it, moisture in homes can be controlled. The way to deal with it is to determine if there is a problem, understand where it comes from and then learn to control it.
Where Moisture in Homes Originates
Typically, moisture in the form of excess humidity is produced in homes just by the act of living in them. Taking a shower, cooking a meal, even breathing all add moisture to indoor air. You don’t necessarily need a leaky roof or seepage from masonry surfaces to create excess humidity, although they will certainly contribute to the problem.
When moist inside air contacts cold exterior surfaces the moisture in the air condenses to form water. Once this water is released from the air it can do its damage. For example, if a bathroom fan exhausts warm moist into the attic (instead of outside as it should) the air will mix with the cold air in the attic. When this happens the moisture in the air will either condense on attic surfaces or worse, create its own mini weather system complete with a small rain shower in your attic. To a lesser degree this same effect can happen in exterior walls, around single pane windows, on the side of a refrigerator or anywhere inside air meets the cold outside air.
Symptoms of Moisture Problems
If you suspect moisture problems look for the following signs:
–mold, fungus or mildew on interior surfaces
–efflorescence (salt deposits) on both interior and exterior surfaces
–flaking paint and peeling wallpaper
–corrosion on metal surfaces including metal surfaces in basements and attics
–condensation on windows and walls
–<warped, cracked, or rotted wood
–chipped or cracked masonry surfaces
–ice dams in gutters and on roofs
–dank and musty smells
Controlling Moisture
The best way to control excess humidity is to stop it at its source.
–Fix all leaks, roofs, pipes and radiators.
–Control seepage through masonry by applying waterproofing treatments.
–Keep moist air away from cold surfaces by plugging holes in walls and sealing fixtures and outlets.
–Seal leaks in ventilation systems.
–Make sure that exhaust fans, such as those in bathrooms and kitchens, vent outside.
–Consider upgrading poorly insulated windows and doors.
–Adjust your heating system to take in at least 10 percent of its air from outside. This will improve indoor air quality.
–Turn on fans and open windows when showering or cooking.
Treating Moisture Damage
Finally, once excess humidity is under control, it is important to treat and repair all moisture damage promptly. Moldy areas should be scraped clean and washed with bleach. In most cases, damaged wood should be removed because rot will often continue even after the source of water has been removed. Don’t delay repairs. Spores from mold and other fungi can be released into the air and can lead to various respiratory illnesses. To determine whether you have solved your moisture problems, you may want to test with a moisture meter or have a professional tester check for you. Inserting the moisture meter probes into plaster, wood or other building materials lets you test in areas you cannot see. If the levels are too high, then you have a problem. If not, then you can rest easy.
Realtor.com
Aug 17, 2011
Green homes are one of the hottest trends in real estate right now. Even a little bit of
eco-friendly renovation can make a big difference in your home’s appeal on the market.
Below are four ways to update your bathroom into an eco-minded retreat that sellers will love:
If you are remodeling or updating your bathroom to sell, you may want to think beyond the look of your bathroom. In short, you may want to also consider the advantages of turning your bathroom into a “green” bathroom. A green bathroom may mean using recycled or repurposed materials, or it may mean installing water-saving fixtures. Either way, a green bathroom is sure to be appreciated by your buyers. Buyers of today are interested in environmentally sensitive building materials and home supplies, so it will always impress your buyers if you not only update your bathroom, but update it in an environmentally friendly manner. Here’s how:
• Low-flow shower heads – The best thing about today’s shower heads is that you don’t need to sacrifice style for water-saving features. In fact, most of today’s best shower heads are the “low-flow” variety, thereby allowing you to install a great new shower head that uses much less water than shower heads of years’ past. Impress your buyers with a shower head that provides a waterfall effect, or multiple massage speeds
• Low-flow faucets – The same water-saving capabilities are afforded to faucets of today, as well. Replace your old faucets with an attractive new faucet that not only looks better, but saves a considerable amount of wasted water as well. Keep in mind, also, that faucets are quite economical, thereby allowing you to install a beautiful faucet that often provides a great facelift for your bathroom.
• Efficient toilets – Many of today’s toilets are of the low-flow variety, yet they also offer a number of flush options to suit your varying needs. For example, some of today’s toilets offer low-flush for liquids and more powerful flushes for solids.
• Recycled tile – If you want to add beauty to your bathroom floor or tub surround, consider some of the many recycled tiles available today. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they are quite beautiful, as well. Consider recycled glass or recycled ceramic tile, just to name a few.
Realtor.com
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