TOP 5 EASIEST FOODS TO GROW AT HOME

Top 5 Easiest Foods to Grow at Home

Want to join the grow-your-own food movement but just don’t know where to start? Why not begin with foods that are nearly fail-proof? Here are my top 5 foods to grow at home whether you have a lot of space or just a sunny window. A spot with six hours or more of sunlight is all you need to Do Your Part for fresher foods.

1) Tomatoes
Did you know that tomatoes are the most popular piece of produce to grow at home? Besides being delicious, tomatoes are fairly simple to grow. There are thousands of varieties to choose from. You can grow tomatoes in containers, raised garden bed, upside down, or in a traditional garden.

2) Herbs
Talk about instant gratification! Herbs are fast growing so you can experience their flavors in no time. Herbs such as parsley, mint, basil, chives, and more can be grown in a sunny window indoors. They also thrive outdoors in containers and are attractive when mixed with potted flowers.

3) Lettuce
Lettuce will get you the biggest bang for your buck plus it’s super simple to grow. Think about it. If you spend a couple bucks to plant lettuce, you’ll make that money back the first time you make a salad from your garden. Lettuce is a cool season crop and needs just six inches of soil to grow.

4) Strawberries
Strawberries are the perfect fruit to grow at home and will return year after year without a whole lot of work. Just remember a few things with strawberries. They need regular watering and fresh fertilizer every few weeks. Strawberries grow best in the spring or late fall.

5) Peas & Beans
There are many options when it comes to peas and beans. Think green beans, snow peas, sugar peas, wax beans, and so many more. Peas are a cool season crop and most bean varieties are warm season crops but both grow on vines. This makes them perfect for a small space because you can train them to grow up a trellis, stakes and string, or a fence.

There are many reasons to grow foods at home. You’ll know exactly what went into growing them and you’ll be saving money—all at the same time. But best of all are the tasty rewards enjoyed with family and friends.

 Reshared by Michelle Cannon

Cannon Realty & Associates

BE A GREEN BEACH BUM THIS SUMMER!

Be a Green Beach Bum this Summer

Are you one of millions who will enjoy some of the summer sun at the beach? Did you know that some of the choices we make at home and while on vacation can actually contaminate the very same waters we can’t wait to get in? Do Your Part and become a greener beach bum this year.

It All Starts at Home
Even if you live hundreds and hundreds of miles away from the beach, you could still be polluting our oceans. That’s because what you let go down the drain, or put on your lawn and garden can actually wind up in the ocean. So what’s a beach lover to do? First, don’t let household hazardous waste get in our water supply. It could be by keeping motor oil out of storm drains, properly disposing of our pets’ waste, and making sure grease doesn’t go down the sink. All those things lead to contamination in our waterways. Excess nutrients are another major source of contamination. When we use too much fertilizer on our yard, the excess is picked up by stormwater runoff and dumped right into our waterways. This nutrient overload causes algae to bloom which removes oxygen from the water. That literally chokes the life from vital water creatures that help improve the water’s quality.

Be Informed About Your Beach
Do you know how dirty—or clean—your favorite beach is? You might feel a little seasick once you find out how your beach ranks in terms of water quality. High amounts of bacterial pollution actually accounted for more than 24,000 beach closings and advisories in 2010. Bacterial pollution in our beach waters is a major health concern because it can give swimmers everything from pink eye to hepatitis. Keep track of what is going on at your vacation destination by checking out the National Resource Defense Council’s updated guide or the EPA’s online quality reports.

Take Care while You’re There
Taking care of our beautiful beaches doesn’t end once we arrive. My beach trick is to pack a picnic basket for my family. I fill it with snacks in reusable containers and reusable water bottles. When we’re done for the day, I toss it all back in the basket and bring it back home. No need to worry about taking items to the trash or leaving them behind. If you must go the disposable route, find cutlery and cups made from recycled plastic. The critical thing is that all the items get disposed of properly and nothing winds up in the water where it can hurt marine life and water quality.

A beach vacation can be a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the real world. Make sure you Do Your Part before you go and while you’re there to keep our water clean and healthy. It’s good for you, your family, and our planet.

Reshared by Michelle Cannon
Cannon Realty & Associates

COST-EFFICIENT WAYS TO IMPROVE HOME VALUE!

Cost-Efficient Ways to Improve Home Value

When it comes to reselling your property, you might find yourself scrambling to figure out what you can do to improve home value in the eyes of others. Unfortunately, a number of the home improvements you make to your home don’t even come close to increasing the value of your home enough to make up for what you spent.

Here’s a great home construction remodeling tip; instead of focusing on huge, expensive improvements to your home, consider small, simple ways to improve the appeal of your home, and increase what you can get for it as you try to sell.

Simple, Inexpensive Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

One of the best things you can do when it comes to boosting your home’s resale value, and encouraging potential buyers to feel good about your home, is to improve the curb appeal. Your home makes a first impression, and the way it looks when others pull up has a big impact on the perception of value. Your home is more likely to sell at a higher price if the first impression is one that encourages the thought that your home is really worth something.

You can boost your home’s curb appeal with a few simple and inexpensive home renovations:

• Neaten the yard: Keep the lawn mowed and cared for. Pull weeds. Trim the hedges. Plant a few flowers. Remove trash and toys.
• Add some paint: If you have a fence, touch up the paint. If the exterior looks dingy, pressure-wash the exterior, repaint, or update the siding (although doing the siding can get expensive).
• Replace the front door: According to Remodeling Magazine, you will recoup the entire cost (less than $1,300) of replacing your front door. Plus, it gives the home a neater, newer look when you have a new front door.

You’ll be amazed at what you can do with a little elbow grease to improve the look of your exterior.

Improve the Interior

Make small changes to the interior can also help. Have the carpets deeply cleaned. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do it yourself, hire someone to come and clean your carpet. It’s worth it to provide that clean look.

You can also add new paint to the walls. Clean scuffs off baseboards and touch up the paint. Try to avoid garish colors as you redo the paint, since you will be more likely to get more for your money with neutral colors.

Some areas where a cheap home upgrades can stand out are in the kitchens and bathrooms. You don’t have to go whole hog, but replacing old cabinets (or at least re-staining them) can help breathe fresh life into the kitchen. New tile around the tub, or a new sink, in the bathrooms can also make a difference. Small ways to improve the look of your kitchen and bathroom can go a long way toward increasing the chances of selling your home in a timely manner, and for a better price.

And, of course, when you are ready to sell, consider staging your home. A professional may cost some money, but staging your home in a way that makes it look spacious and inviting can help you sell faster, and increase the chances that you will get what you want.

Reshared by Michelle Cannon
Cannon Realty & Associates

CONSIDERING A LOAN MODIFICATION: THE LEGAL RAMIFICATION

Considering a Loan Modification: The Legal Ramification

Imagine this! You purchased your home and have been making your payments diligently every month for the last 4 years. The real estate market value in your area has dropped and you find yourself “upside down” in your loan. (You owe the bank more than what your home is worth). You also find out that the adjustable rate mortgage loan you obtained when you purchased your home has now kicked in and your mortgage payments will rise significantly. You’re afraid because you can’t afford the new monthly payments.

So what’s your next move? You can’t sell the home because no-one wants to purchase in your neighborhood additionally, you have no emergency funds to relocate. So you recently read an article about loan modifications where your lender will lower your monthly payments to an amount you can afford and you think you are saved. Unfortunately it’s not quite that simple.

There are legal ramifications to negotiating a loan modification with your lender. First and foremost most lenders will make you go through the process of proving to them that you can no longer make your payments because of financial hardships or other unexpected circumstances. If you obtained your loan through a “stated income” or “no doc”loan program more, then it’s likely your mortgage broker or lender slightly exaggerated your income to get you the best deal in the first place . Well now you’re going to have to provide your lender with hard proof that you can no longer make your payments which would include but is not limited to (Bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, etc.) If it turns out that these documents don’t coincide with what you claimed on your loan application, this could possibly raise a red flag.

Secondly, your lender is most likely going to give you a trial loan modification for say 3 -5 months. This is where they agree to take a lower payment for a few months to see if you will keep your word and are able to make payments on the remainder of the loan. The problem with this is now your loan is being reported as delinquent (since you are not making your full payment on time). This now puts your home in a state of technical default. This means the lender can, at any time during the loan modification process, still elect to foreclose on your home even if you are making the trial payments they requested. Additionally, after this trial period ends the lender can still deny your request for a loan modification. Now not only are you upside down on your home but you are in default as well.

Another legal ramification is you give up many of your rights and protections by accepting the loan modification. Going into default will effect your credit and even your ability to sell your property. Your lender may require you to pay them any profit you make from the sale or repay the amounts that were deducted from your payments. They may also demand a restriction be placed on the loan modification that prevents you from selling the property for a number of years.

A loan modification can only help you if it is for an extended term (say 30 years) with a fixed payment. But be sure to read all of the fine print in the disclosures your lender requires you to sign. The legal ramification of your loan modification could cause you to end up just paying your lender to rent your own home for a few months before they take it away from you.

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING INTERNET SAFETY IN YOUR HOME!

8 common sense tips for maintaining a safe Internet environment in your home.

1. Discussion. Discussion. Discussion.

Parents must have a good sense about what's going on in their kids' online worlds. Since Facebooking has become a daily routine for kids, it needs to be part of the daily conversation. The more open you are with your kids and facilitate a safe and non-judgmental environment for conversation, the more likely they are to tell you if they come across an issue. While the idea of openness and parenting sometimes seem like they shouldn't go together, imagine this: do you want to talk about things at the dining room table in a calm atmosphere or after something forces the issue?

2. Keep the Computer in a Common Area

Laptops, smart phones, and tablets have allowed us to overlook the cardinal rule of kids on the Internet-keep the communication vehicles in a common area where parents can monitor websites and time allocated to Internet activity. Making them mobile makes it even more difficult to monitor and manage. We all grew up without access to the Internet on our phones and still managed to survive. Your kids can too.

3. Manners for Texting, E-Mailing or Chatting Online

As you do in other aspects of your child's life, set the expectations for manners and appropriate behavior in their digital world. Coach them to be respectful and to think carefully before they put their thoughts into written words. Remember, typed communications are not the same as verbal communications. Typed communications can easily be forwarded along to others and can last forever.

4. Understand the Privacy Settings of Social Media Sites

While privacy settings can sometimes be difficult to find and hard to navigate, understanding the privacy settings can save you time and heartache down the road. They control what information people can and can't see and what information is sent out upon posting. Be certain that any settings are set to your preferences. Also remember that Facebook prohibits children under the age of 13 from even having a Facebook account.

5. Posting Pictures -- Interpretation is in the Mind of the Beholder

A picture posted online is not private. A photo sent between cell phones is not private. Make sure that your children are aware that mistakes do happen and so-called private messages go public, or that sometimes people you trust make mistakes in judgment. Once a photo hits Facebook it can be downloaded and reposted across the entire web within hours. Explain that on the Internet, nothing is really ever gone, and the consequences of an immature decision will be viewable for years to come.

6. Kids and Adults should not be Friends

You and your kids should be connected in social media so you can monitor their behavior. However, you may need to be careful with their connections to other adults because of the adult content that person and their friends can bring to your kids' social networks.

7. Teach children what to do if they get an offensive or threatening IM, e-mail, or chat room post

According to the National Crime Prevention Center, in 2010 over 40% of children were the victim of an online bully. Of that number, 90% never discussed the situation with their parents. The more conversations you have with your kids about what occurs online, the more likely they will be to talk to you about what's going on. Take every opportunity to teach them how to manage themselves in confusing situations.

8. If Your Child Has A Social Media Account, They Are At Risk.

No one can hide on the Internet. A social media account means that a child's personal information is available in a search engine. Be certain that content is managed appropriately. Performing a Google search every once in a while may be a good idea to make sure that you're aware of your kids' online presence.

Do You Know What HAMP Is And Who HARP Is?

73% of Consumers Don’t Know what a HAMP is and who an HARP is?

It doesn’t matter that the Obama Administration recently enhanced leading government programs to bail out more underwater homeowners and save others from foreclosure. Most consumers don’t even know these programs exist.

Nearly 73 percent of a group of Americans said they’d never heard of the two primary programs in the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable initiative – the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) –according to a survey by Survey Sampling International.

Recently updated to help additional millions of homeowners, the federal programs help make housing more affordable through mortgage modifications and special refinanced home loans, in both cases to bring down the cost of housing and help avoid foreclosure.

The study also found a large majority of those surveyed, more than 62 percent, unaware of new government programs that make home buying more affordable.

Since the housing crash, to make home buying more affordable, the federal government has cranked out a host of programs.

The Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Office of Veterans Affairs (VA), and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program have all offered new or updated affordable home buying programs.

Rob Wyse, the spokesman for FreeScore.Com, which commissioned the survey, said the results could have been different if all those polled were homeowners or home buyers.

Wyse said the home ownership status of those surveyed is not known. Home ownership status was not a qualifying factor for the 300 Americans polled. Aged 18 to 65, they were randomly selected after they opted in to sit on the panel.

“If I did this study again, the first question I’d ask is ‘Are you in the market for a home.’ It’s like buying a car. You aren’t really aware of what’s in a car unless you are ready to buy a car,” Wyse said.

“A lot of people go shopping for homes and they don’t know their credit scores,” he added.

What is ‘HAMP,’ ‘HARP?’

• Available through Dec. 31, 2013, HAMP offers mortgage modifications for qualified homeowners with first and second mortgages and for qualified investors.

A mortgage modification occurs when the lender reworks the terms of an existing home loan, typically to lower payments and make the home more affordable. To get the payment down, mortgage modification lenders lower the interest rate, extend the loan term, reduce the principal or use any combination of those approaches.

• Also available through 2013, HARP allows qualifying homeowners to refinance Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac home loans to lower rates even if they owe more than the home is worth.

A refinance trades in an old mortgage for a new one and that can be a good deal with today’s lower rates. CoreLogic estimates more than 22 percent of homeowners nationwide are“underwater” owing more than their property is worth due, in part, to fast declining real estate values during the crash and buyers who over-leveraged their home buying deal before the crash.

10 TIPS TO A GREEN KITCHEN

10 Tips to a Green Kitchen

1. Use Healthy Eco-Friendly Cleaners
Many common household products contain toxins that could be affecting your family's health. Buying natural safe cleaning products will help eliminate any risk of unnecessary toxins in your home.

2. Curb Paper Towel and Napkin Use
2.5 million tons of paper towels fill up landfills annually. A great solution is to buy a set of cloth rags, bar towels and fabric napkins to wash and reuse. It may be an added expense up front, but it will pay off in the end.

3. Replace Antibacterial Hand Soaps
Studies have shown that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than simple soap and water. Antibacterial soaps can lead to stronger strains of bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics.

4. Plastic--- Just Say No!
The Wall Street Journal reported that Americans go through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually and making these bags requires an estimated 12 million barrels of oil. To reduce plastic bag consumption, use alternative options such as; reusable bags, paper bags, or even, no bag at all!

5. Replace the Sponge!
Sponges are bacteria incubators. Although a sponge seems like a great cleaning tool, it may not be the healthiest solution. Replace your sponge with dish rags!

6. Create a Recycling and Compost System
If you don't recycle, the best way to get into the habit is to set up a simple system. Get a second trash can for inside your home and put it next to the trash can and label it recycling. If you are ready to take it a step further, composting is a great way to turn your waste into soil like material that can be used in your lawn and garden.

7. Replace Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware releases toxins when over high heat, has a short life-span (nonstick coating usually wears out in a year or two) and the nonstick coating can scratch off into food. Healthy alternatives include stainless steel, iron, copper and glass.

8. Buy In Bulk
Buying in bulk means less packaging and fewer trips to the store. You’ll also benefit from financial savings!

9. Update Kitchen Lighting
Kitchen lights are some of the most frequently used lights in the home. Energy efficient lights may be a high upfront cost but they use 75% less energy, generate 70% less heat and last up to 10 times longer.

10. Buy ENERGY STAR Appliances
If you are in the market for new appliances, choose one that has been proved more energy efficient. Many old appliances use a lot of unnecessary energy.

5 NEW RIGHTS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS IN HOA'S!

5 new rights for property owners in HOAs

Nearly 20% of Texans live in neighborhoods that have homeowners associations (HOAs), and new laws that went into effect earlier this year have provided more rights to those property owners regarding the use of their property.

Here are five property-related upgrades or additions that HOAs can no longer prevent homeowners from doing:

1. Install a solar-energy device on the property.
2. Install and use rain-harvesting devices.
3. Display certain religious items on the entry of the property.
4. Install roof shingles that are wind and/or hail resistant, energy efficient, or solar generating.
5. Fly the U.S., Texas, or a branch of the U.S. armed forces flag.

Each of these rights apply to condos as well. It’s important to note that a homeowners association may place some parameters on these rights.

THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU MOVE IN TO YOUR NEW HOME!

10 Great Things To Do When you Move Into Your New Home

Congratulations! You’ve purchased a new home and are all moved in! There’s been a lot to take care of, like emptying boxes, loading up cabinets and drawers, and maybe even painting and decorating, but here are 10 around-the-house tasks you may not have thought of that are essential to starting things off on the right foot when it comes to caring for your new home.

The secret to a well maintained home is to start your maintenance early, ahem, that means now. Now, don't get nervous, it's not all work, work, work. Doing your home maintenance bit by bit is a great way to accomplish it all, but over time so that there's plenty of room for relaxing too. Also, preventative maintenance now, will reduce the likelihood of unwelcome (many times costly) surprises down the road.

Here are ten great things to do when you first move in!

1. Change the locks, reprogram garage door opener codes, and check that all window locks operate properly. If there's a security system, learn how it operates and sign up for any maintenance or monitoring plans that that yours requires.
2. Locate emergency shut offs. Know how to shut off the power, water, and gas in your home. Also, know the location of your main and any sub electrical panel boxes.
3. Create a "fix it" kit. If you don't have one already, buy a toolbox and stock it with all your frequently used home repair tools and supplies. Not only is it a good idea to have tools gathered together for home repairs, but it's also important to have first aid supplies on hand too. We think it's a great idea to combine the two and have a small first aid kit within your toolbox--that way, if injuries do occur, you won't have far to go in order to properly tend to them.
4. Service smoke alarms and CO monitors. Smoke alarms and CO monitors need fresh batteries twice annually and full replacement regularly in order to function properly. (Replace smoke alarms, minimum every 8-10 years, and CO monitors minimum every 5 years) Since you may not know the exact age of the devices and batteries in your new home, it's a great idea to start fresh.
5. Perform necessary seasonal maintenance. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, there are tasks around the home that, when completed, help the whole season run more smoothly.
6. Change filters in your HVAC system. This will not only help clear out all the dust that’s been kicked up during the move, but a clean filter also helps your system function more efficiently and extends its lifespan.
7. Check pilot lights. Check pilot lights on stove, water heater, gas fireplace, and furnace.
8. Be sure that hazardous items are stowed away safely (that includes cans of paint). Flammable substances should be kept away from pilot lights, stoves, or water heaters (don’t forget gas dryers). Also, be sure that you are aware of and have identified any substances left behind by the previous owner.
9. Learn how to operate and properly maintain any items in the home that are new to you like appliances, fireplaces, the septic tank, garbage disposal, hot tub, etc. You may be unaware of vitally important operation or care instructions that are necessary for proper function and safety. If you don’t have manufacturer owner’s manuals, look them up. Virtually any product manual out there can be downloaded right from the Internet.
10. Address the items mentioned in your home inspection report. You may have already addressed big issues, but did your inspector mention any necessary maintenance or smaller repairs that would be necessary upon moving in? That's now! Remember that proactively caring for your home with maintenance and service is the primary way to prevent unwelcome surprises down the road. Reread your report and don’t hesitate to call your inspector to clarify his recommendations or to answer any questions you may have.

6 PAINTING TIPS FOR FRESHENING UP EXTERIORS!

6 Painting Tips for Freshening Up Exteriors

Springtime is the best time to give a home a fresh coat of paint, according to the Paint Quality Institute.

“By painting in moderate weather, you’ll likely get a longer-lasting paint job,” says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute. Zimmer says that exterior painting is best to do when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but not when it gets too hot. “Very hot days can cause the paint to dry too quickly and impair good paint film formation,” she notes.

Some more tips for exterior painting from Zimmer:

1. Paint in the shade and avoid painting in direct sunshine.Sunlit surfaces can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature.

2. Don’t paint when it’s too windy. Wind can cause latex paint to dry too quickly as well as cause dust and other contaminates to imbed in the paint, possibly creating a surface ripe for mildew, Zimmer says.

3. Avoid the rain. Wait for another day if it’s rained within the last 24 hours. If several days of rain is forecast, postpone your painting for several days until a rain-free week.

4. Prime the surface. Apply a coat of primer to any new surface that has never been painted, or spot-prime areas where paint has worn away, Zimmer suggests.

5. Don’t skimp on paint. Use top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint. It’s durable, flexible, colorfast, and can often last 10 years or more compared to ordinary paint, Zimmer says. To make the paint last even longer, apply at least two coats–a coat of primer and coat of paint, or two coats of house paint, she adds.

6. Don’t postpone painting. Postponing painting the exterior of a home that is long overdue can actually cause damage to a home. Exposed wood can begin to rot and other types of exterior siding also can suffer when the paint starts to wear off, Zimmer says.

5 BASIC STEPS TO MAKE A HOUSE YOUR HOME!

5 Basic Steps to Make a House Your Home

Are you looking to buy your home for the first time? Congratulations! While this is an exciting time, knowing what you are in for can ease the process exponentially. Below are a few steps you can take to find your dream house, and make it into your new home.

Learn About Homeownership

Owning a home requires a large investment of time, money and energy, so make sure you are careful when making your decision to buy. To answer all of the questions you may have, participate in a first-time homebuyer class at a local non-profit agency in your community. Being well-informed will make you feel confident and in control before making any major financial decisions. Look for a first-time homebuyer class offered by a local non-profit agency in your community.

Determine How Much Home You Can Afford

One of the most important steps for every homebuyer is to determine exactly how much home you can afford. By looking at your income and current monthly debts, you can determine your ideal monthly payment. From there, you’ll be able to narrow the focus of your house search to homes in your price range. Be sure to include down payments and other upfront costs in your calculations.

Shop for a Home

Condo? Single-family home? A fixer-upper or new construction? Knowing your housing needs — and selecting a real estate professional — before you start looking will help focus your time and energy. Plus, they will work on your behalf to pre-screen houses and guide you through negotiations. Working with a real estate professional can be useful when making an offer on a house—they will be available to answer your questions.

Find the Right Mortgage

Finding the right mortgage is about more than a rate and terms—it’s about finding the right financial partner. Look for a financial partner who will help to empower you to make informed decisions with confidence.

Close the Loan and Move In

Once your home has been inspected, your contingencies have been met and your mortgage has been approved, it’s time to close the deal! In most cases, a closing officer and your attorney will be present during closing. As the buyer, you should make sure to bring a binder for homeowners insurance (document proving you have adequate homeowners insurance), a paid receipt for the first year’s premium and a certified or cashier’s check for your down payment and closing costs. Before the closing begins, review your mortgage, mortgage note and settlement statement documents to ensure there are no errors or red flags. Remember to ask questions during the closing, as the closing officer is there to help.

After you’ve signed all documents and paid your closing costs and down payment, the closing is finished! You’re free to move in once you reach the possession date stated on the purchase agreement. Congratulations!

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REMODELING LOOKING UP IN 2012

Remodeling Looking up in 2012

Homeowners are ready to make 2012 a banner year for remodeling and the latest cost-for-value research suggests that getting the most bang for every buck is more important than ever.

The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) hit a five-year high at the end of 2011, indicating that residential remodeling should continue to grow in 2012, according to panelists at a press conference at NAHB’s International Builders’ Show. After a slow start, home improvement spending is expected to trend up later this year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. If this momentum continues to build during the second half of the year, remodeling activity is on course to end 2012 on a positive note.

However, consumers want to get the most for their money.

Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012 found that the trend right now is replacement over remodeling—swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly. Exterior replacement projects—such as new garage doors and a new entry door—offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.

The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:

1. Replacing the entry door to steel
Estimated cost: $1,238
Cost recouped at resale: 73 percent

2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)
Estimated cost: $50,148
Cost recouped at resale: 72.5 percent

3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)
Estimated cost: $19,588
Cost recouped at resale: 72.1 percent

4. Garage door replacement
Estimated cost: $1,512
Cost recouped at resale: 71.9 percent

5. Deck addition (wood)
Estimated cost: $10,350
Cost recouped at resale: 70.1 percent

6. Siding replacement (vinyl)
Estimated cost: $11,729
Cost recouped at resale: 69.5 percent

5 FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER MISTAKES TO AVOID!

5 First Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

Before you purchase any big-ticket item, you should do your homework. Buying a home for the first time is no exception to this rule. Fortunately, many homebuyers that have come before you have paved the road of success. Learn from their mistakes so you can avoid making the same ones.

It’s All About the Mortgage Payment

Many first time homebuyers make the mistake of focusing on the mortgage payment. They figure that if it’s in the same neighborhood as what they’re paying in a rent, they can afford to be a homeowner. Not evaluating the costs of homeownership beyond the mortgage payment is a big mistake because there are numerous other costs to consider when buying and maintaining a home:

• Closing costs
• Down payment
• Maintenance costs for upkeep on the home
• Home repairs
• Replacement costs

Finding a Home First, Financing Later

Many people think they should find the home they want to buy and worry about establishing the financing for the purchase later. In reality, the order should reversed. You should set up the financing first. Pre-qualifying for a mortgage provides you with the amount of a mortgage you can qualify to obtain, which also tells the price range of homes you should be viewing.

At the very least, establish the financing in conjunction with looking for homes. The last thing you want to do is find the home of your dreams to only be disappointed when a lender won’t finance the purchase.

Going it Alone

You wouldn’t diagnose an illness without consulting a doctor or perform surgery on yourself. You shouldn’t try to buy or finance a home without help from professionals who know what they are doing either. Real estate agents, attorneys, tax consultants and mortgage advisors all provide you with the advice, guidance and information you need to make informed decisions.

Emptying Your Savings for the Down Payment

You’ve been saving up for this day for years and now you’re going to write the check for the down payment. You decide you’ll drain the account. A lower mortgage amount means a lower monthly mortgage payment, right?

Yes, it does, but if you don’t have a cushion of savings then you are in big trouble if you have a cash emergency. Make sure that you put a down payment amount down on the home that is comfortable for you, but don’t deplete your savings in the process. Maintain a cushion in the bank in case you have a personal or house emergency.

Financing New Furniture and Appliances

New homeowners tend to run out and put on credit new furniture and appliances to complete their dream home. Financing these items increases your out-of-pocket costs for making these purchases. Instead, spread out your purchases so that you can pay cash and avoid incurring interest on other purchases.

Buying a home for the first time is exciting. It is also a road with many holes if you don’t know what you’re doing. Learn from those that have made mistakes before you and avoid these common pitfalls when buying your first home.

Is a new home in your future? Get your free credit report, see today’s rates and start planning your future –responsibly.

YOUR NEW TO-DO LIST!

Attention Homeowners: Your New To-Do List

Today’s homes are filled with components that weren’t so common years ago. They make your home more efficient and less work. You can’t ignore them entirely, though. So, as you plan your chores and projects for the coming year, here are some to keep in mind.

Limestone/marble:
These ancient materials are more popular than ever. Not all stones need sealing. Ask your stone pro. Buy the best sealers you can afford. Grit and acids are the biggest threats to marble and limestone. So:
Clean surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dish detergent and warm water. Go easy on the cleaner or soap, because too much can leave a film. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, or ones with lemon, vinegar or other acids.

Vinyl windows:
Vinyl windows are tough, and extremely popular. They should get a yearly inspection.
Clean window tracks of debris, says Burt Harold, a rep for Pella Windows. Make sure weather stripping is sound and making proper contact. Replace as needed.
When cleaning, never use abrasives. That can damage the vinyl skin of the window. If you need to lubricate a track, use pure silicone spray, not WD-40.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for caulking. When washing windows, be cautioned that bleach can discolor dark vinyl colors. And, remember, window films can void your window warranty.

HardiePlank/fiber cement siding:
It won’t rot. It holds paint. And it’s very durable. It’s the siding of choice on many new homes. Still, inspect annually.
If caulking fails, water can penetrate the joint and damage the wood and framing behind the siding. If you’re going to check your home’s exterior less often, says Charlotte home inspector Dave Hahn, use caulk rated for at least 20 years, and longer is better. Choose a quality silicone or polyurethane.

Fiberglass doors:
Minor dents can be filled with auto body putty. Follow the instructions on the can and, just as if you were working on a car, don’t stint on the sanding. Uneven spots will show. For larger areas, cut out damaged fiberglass with a grinder. Repair with mat and resin from fiberglass repair kit. Prime, then paint. with 100 percent acrylic.

Stainless steel:
Stainless steel is hot for kitchens because it looks good, resists rust and cleans easily. The biggest complaint about stainless is that the fridge shows all those little handprints.
Clean with a specialty product that creates a barrier against fingerprints.
Avoid products with chlorine; mild abrasives can scratch. Read labels.

Multihead showers:
There are six times as many connections that can leak, six times as many shower heads that can clog. Check regularly and clean with CLR or some other solution. You can use white vinegar to clear a shower head that has been clogged with mineral deposits. Place vinegar in a plastic bag, enclose the head and secure the bag to the shower neck with a rubber band or twist tie. Let stand for at least two hours.

Composite decking:
Early on, composite decking was billed as a trouble-free—and chemical-free—alternative to treated lumber. You still have to clean it.
The best way to prevent stains is to sweep or hose off regularly.
To wash, use a commercial composite deck cleaner.
For stubborn stains, allow solution to sit for a few minutes and scrub with a bristle brush.
Be careful with power washers. Some decking manufacturers recommend against them, and using one can void your warranty. Other makers suggest smaller washers with no more than 1300 PSI, with the fan tip no closer than 8 to 10 inches from the surface.

The pros’ advice:
If you’ve invested in expensive technology consider protecting your investment with regular service by a professional. Builders, inspectors and other experts say that’s always wise. Don’t let the contract lapse.
Follow the manufacturer’s advice for care and service.
Owner’s manuals are online. Just check the product for a model name or number, and go to the company site. The manual should answer most questions. Many have helpful pictures, and there’s usually a toll-free hotline on which an expert (if you’re patient) can answer questions.

TIPS ON SAVING BIG ON MONTHLY EXPENSES!

Tips on Saving Big on Monthly Expenses

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to resolve to save money. With just a few basic lifestyle changes, renters can save up to $368 per month, or $4,416 per year!
Finding the perfect balance between pinching pennies and enjoying your home and life can be difficult, but easy money-saving techniques can help your readers stay on budget in 2012. By making eight simple changes in your home, renters can save up to $368 per month.

1. Ditch Cable - Renters pay, on average, $100 per month for cable television. Busy lifestyles mean that many rarely get to watch shows when they air, and rely on services like DVR to watch their favorite programs later. Why not consider a service like Hulu Plus or Netflix? It’s simple to connect your computer to your television and watch TV when it’s convenient for you.
· Average Savings per Month: $92

2. Space-by-space Heat – Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year.
· Average Savings per Month: $17

3. Cut the Phone Cord – With all of the functionality of smart phones, a landline may be unnecessary. By eliminating a monthly telephone bill, renters can save, on average, $35 per month.
· Average Savings per Month: $35

4. Illuminate Your Savings - While not a large savings monthly, replacing light bulbs with an Energy Star qualified light bulb can save $6 per year, and nearly $40 over its lifetime—and it will last six times longer. For example, if you have six lamps in your apartment, you can save $3 per month. It may not seem like a lot, but the savings will add up over time.
· Average Savings per Month: $3

5. Skip the Hot Water – By doing your laundry in cold water rather than hot, you reduce energy usage by 90 percent and can save $72 per year! Plus, your clothes will be just as clean.
· Average Savings per Month: $6

6. Work Out in Comfort - Skip the gym membership and save, on average, $775 per year. In many cities, you will find the savings to be even more. You can still get in your workouts—consider running, or many exercises that can be done with little or no equipment in the comfort of your own home.
· Average Savings per Month: $65

7. Use Your Kitchen – You are paying rent for your kitchen, whether you use it or not. The average American eats out 6 times per month, spending an average of $172. Eat out just once a month and cook at home instead.
· Average Savings per Month: $144

8. Pull the Plug – By unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them, you can save a bundle on energy. Unplugging one fax machine, one computer monitor, and one television can save $70 per year. Just turning it off is not enough.
· Average Savings per Month: $6

If you are renting in one of the top 10 most expensive cities, you may find your savings to be even more. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following metropolitan areas have the highest cost of living, as determined by the consumer price index as of August 2011.

1. New York/Northern New Jersey/Long Island, N.Y./N.J./Conn./Pa.
2. Philadelphia/Wilmington/Atlantic City, Pa./N.J./Del./M.D.
3. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose, Calif.
4. Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton, Wash.
5. Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
6. Los Angeles/Riverside/Orange County, Calif.
7. Chicago/Gary/Kenosha, Ill./Ind./Wis.
8. Detroit/Ann Arbor/Flint, Mich.
9. Atlanta, Ga.
10. Houston/Galveston/Brazoria, TX
For more information, visit www.rent.com.

9 THINGS TO DO AFTER LOSING YOUR WALLET OR PURSE!

NINE THINGS TO DO AFTER LOSING YOUR WALLET OR PURSE.....

Losing your wallet or purse is stressful. Your money, credit cards, driver's license--all gone. Don't fret too much about tracking down contact information to close accounts and get things replaced. This to-do list from the Federal Citizen Information Center puts the answers you need all in one place:

1. Make a list of what you had in your wallet or purse (You should do this BEFORE you lose your wallet. Now would be a good time.) and tackle the important things first.

2. Immediately cancel all your credit and debit cards, letting your bank know that your wallet or purse was lost or stolen. Request new copies of the card with a new account number.

3. If you were the victim of theft, file a police report immediately so there is an official record.

4. Report a missing driver's license to your state's department of motor vehicles and request a new copy.

5. Alert the fraud departments of the three major credit reporting companies. They will place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number, and you can request that they alert you before opening a line of credit in your name. (Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; Experian: 1-888-397-3742; Trans Union:1-800-680-7289)

6. Request a replacement Social Security card and consider not carrying it in your wallet in the future.

7. Contact either your company's HR department or your health insurance provider directly to get a replacement insurance card. If you've lost a Medicare card, contact the Social Security Administration to get a replacement.

8. For other club membership, video rental and bonus club cards, you'll have to contact each company individually. Use the [6]directory on www.consumeraction.gov to get a direct line to consumer affairs or member relations departments.

9. If your credit reports suffer damage due to the loss of your wallet or purse, call Global Credit Repair Network for rapid credit repair solutions! We are here to help.

Having your cards lost or stolen can be traumatic. But these tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center can help you recover. The only thing you'll have left to do is pick out a new wallet or a new purse.

HELPFUL TIP: When you are writing checks to pay your credit card accounts, do NOT put the complete account number in the 'For' or 'Memo' line of the check. Instead, just put the last four numbers. Your credit card company already knows the rest of the number. This way anyone who handles your check through all the processing channels won't have access to your complete credit card number. Next time you order checks from your bank, have just your first initial & last name printed on the return address line. If someone takes your checkbook, they won't know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but you and your bank will know.

5 TIPS FOR DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME!

5 Tips for Efficient Downsizing

The organizational benefits of downsizing can be very rewarding. You can save time, restore order, relieve stress, free up space, and perhaps most importantly, save money.
It’s important when you are organizing and downsizing to try to keep your emotions out of the process. The process may seem overwhelming, but you can do it, and here are some tips that will help you accomplish the task:

1.) Try not to focus on the entire house at once. Break things down room by room. Take on one project at a time and don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed. If the room itself seems to be too much to take on, just focus on one area at a time, like a closet. Accomplish something before moving on to another area. Small steps yield big rewards. Set realistic goals about the amount of time you need, and create a timeline that works for you.

2.) Evaluate what you have. Everyone has extra stuff. Ask yourself: Do I use this? Need it? Love it? Is it in good condition? If you haven’t used or thought about something in over a year, it’s probably safe to get rid of it. Sell valuable items that you no longer need. Ebay and Craigslist are both great online tools that will help you cash in on things that you don’t need anymore. Or donate. There’s no shortage of organizations that take in the things you don’t use and distribute them to people in need. What a great feeling!

3.) Properly store irreplaceable items. Meaningful items such as old photos, yearbooks, wedding dresses, and christening gowns should be properly stored in sealed containers in order to protect them from the elements. You may even want to go one step further with old photos and convert them to a digital format to ensure that they will always be safe. If your children have grown and moved out, as hard as it may be, remind yourself that you are not responsible for providing storage for your adult children.

4.) Stay positive. Getting rid of items that remind you of your past can be an emotional process. At first it might seem difficult to part with those masterpieces that your children created when they were small, but there’s no reason to keep every scrap of paper your child has ever brought home. Instead, concentrate on what’s important you, and visualize what your home will look like when you have de-cluttered and re-imagined your space. I have found that after de-cluttering, most people wish they had done it sooner.

5.) Hire a REALTOR® who specializes in working with downsizers. This type of move is a specialty and requires a unique set of skills and a great deal of planning and patience. You will need someone who works well with you. You might find yourself needing the services of others, such as stagers, de-clutterers, and junk removers, as well as a storage plan for the things you can’t bear to part with or want to keep safe. With the right connections, you’ll be able to find someone who is not only familiar with your situation, but who has existing relationships and can assure that the process moves smoothly from beginning to end.